CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, New Mexico -- Air commandos donated blood during an Armed Services Blood Program blood drive in bldg. 54 on Nov. 16, 2016, at the 27th Special Operations Wing.
The ASBP, a joint field operating agency established more than 60 years ago, hosted the drive from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in order to accumulate blood used for military blood transfusions. Army medical technicians from the William Beaumont Army Medical Center at Ft. Bliss, Texas, traveled to Cannon to assist in the drive.
“The ASBP has blood donor centers at Army, Air Force and Naval bases,” said Tech. Sgt. Andrew Antonetti, 27th Special Operations Medical Support Squadron laboratory flight chief. “Those donor teams are typically mobile and travel to numerous military and federal locations to collect for our troops serving around the globe.”
According to the ASBP distribution system, the donated blood gets sent to forward operating bases, military medical facilities, U.S. Navy ships and first responder units. One pint of blood is capable of saving up to three lives.
“The blood that is collected will go downrange in support of future contingency operations and whatever is left will go to local military hospitals,” Antonetti said. “I have seen the blood being used downrange first-hand, so I can definitely vouch for where it goes and how it is used.”
The ASBP attempts to host a blood drive once every two months at Cannon, with the next one being held sometime in late January. Willing participants are able to register beforehand to see if they qualify to donate and expedite the process the day of donation.
“Once a date is set and an announcement is made, I can immediately take appointments,” Antonetti said.
Appointments are every 15 minutes from 8 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. and can be made by emailing Antonetti at andrew.antonetti@us.af.mil or by phone: 575-784-0235 or 575-784-4026.