MINOT AIR FORCE BASE Totaling near one-half million active-duty members, Reserve and Guardsmen, the Air Force is also comprised of those who, by many different means, have endured various afflictions while serving their country. Yet, they continue to serve the Air Force proudly as wounded warriors.
Wounded warriors, who were once war-ready and world-wide deployable airmen, now strive to carry on the Air Force mission despite being injured and with the hope of returning to full duty.
Most of these wounded warriors are recognized for their acts of valor which were carried out in the most crucial conditions of wartime. Other service members have been injured in mishaps, caused literally by the tools of their trade.
Staff Sgt. Ann King, flight security controller with the 91st Missile Security Forces Squadron at Minot Air Force Base, was injured while on duty. A malfunctioning tool caused a puncture wound to her leg.
"Being prepared to face unpredictable misfortunes and the injuries that follow is just part of the job," she said.
After losing full range of motion in her leg, she is now a patient at Trinity Outpatient Therapy office in the City of Minot. Physical therapists perform many procedures to help rehabilitate Minot citizens, as well as Air Force Global Strike Command airmen like King.
"My goal is to help Sergeant King overcome this injury and reintegrate her back into her work environment," said Katie Peterson, a physical therapist with Trinity Outpatient Therapy and Sports Medicine.
Through medical consultation and participation in therapeutic exercises provided by the physical therapist, a full recovery is well within reach for King.
"I feel that the physical therapists downtown at Trinity strive to do their best to assist me and other fellow service members with whatever physical therapy needs we have," said King.
One program that has been committed to providing aid for wounded service members is the Wounded Warrior Project. It is a nonprofit organization that states its mission is to "honor and empower wounded warriors" of the United States armed forces.
The organization states it works to raise awareness and enlist the public's aid for the needs of severely injured service men and women and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs.