BMT recognized for blood donor center support Published June 5, 2009 By Mike Joseph 37th Training Wing Public Affairs LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The 737th Training Group recently received the American Association of Blood Bank's 2009 Award of Merit for its support of the Lackland Blood Donor Center. The 737th TRG was nominated by the 59th Medical Wing in the group category for its continued donations to the blood donor center, supplying blood to patients in Iraq and Afghanistan. The LBDC also supports Wilford Hall, the Veterans Administration hospital and Brooke Army Medical Center with blood platelets and plasma. Basic military trainees donate blood Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The BMT program is the only one in the Department of Defense that officially visits their corresponding blood donor center on a regular schedule. "The 737th Training Group BMTs have sustained the 59th Medical Wing's blood mission for decades," said Col. Dale Ferguson, 59th Laboratory Squadron commander. "In 2003, they ramped up support for our theater demands and account for 85 percent of the blood we send overseas. They've continued to this day to provide that strong support." Col. Edward Westermann, 737th TRG commander, was flattered by the award announcement. "BMT is honored to be recognized with an award that is directly related to saving American lives in and out of combat," he said. "We are proud to be teamed up with the 59th MDW in this critical mission." BMT accounts for more than 70 percent of all units collected by the blood donor center. In turn, the LBDC provides 43 percent of all units collected in the Air Force worldwide at a cost savings of nearly $5 million annually to taxpayers.