LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Senior Airman John McGovern explains the work of aerospace physiology as an ever-evolving process that does not just stop at specialized undergraduate pilot training’s phase one program.
“The work that we do here to train pilots for potential [unexplained physiological events] saves lives,” McGovern said. “We start with physiology to let them know what they could feel, and follow up with life supports, tool kits and sources of oxygen. We even talk about cases for ejection and survival skills when they’re on the ground.”
According to McGovern, for anyone interested in pilot training or is currently a pilot, he stresses the importance of knowing that aerospace physiology is always here for them.
“For me, I always let them know they can always come in, and if they need to go more in-depth we can get that information from our officers,” McGovern said.
Preparing pilots for any potential physiological situation is at the core of McGovern’s job, and he believes that because of the immediate response and experience he and his team can provide enhances Laughlin’s mission