Virginia Guard Airmen and Virginia Defense Force members assist with set up from free health clinic - July 23, 2009

Airmen from the Virginia Air National Guard’s Virginia-Beach-based 203d RED HORSE Squadron and members of the Virginia Defense Force from the Roanoke-based Highland Brigade provide assistance July 23 for the Remote Area Medical Health Clinic in Wise County. Five Airmen set up two tents with electricity and air conditioning to be used for optical exams, and VDF members provided traffic control and distributed numbers to organize patients when the clinic opens at 6 a.m. July 24. VDF personnel also provided security at the site overnight. The Remote Area Medical Health Expedition provides free basic medical care and eye and dental needs and runs through July 25. More than 1,800 volunteers assisted with the set up and will help run the event, which is celebrating its 10th year in Wise county. Organizers stated it is the largest outdoor free health care event in the nation. During its 30 hours of operation last year, the clinic provided vision, dental and medical services to more than 2,600 people. Organizers are expecting a 20 percent increase in patients seeking care this year.