By NORMAN LLAMAS | STARS AND STRIPES Published: February 4, 2021
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy — A clinic that opened three weeks ago at Aviano aims to reduce the number of airmen who are forced to take medical retirement or miss work by helping them to prevent and recover from knee, shoulder and other musculoskeletal injuries.
Called the Comprehensive Operational Medicine for Battle Ready Airmen, or COBRA, the clinic opened on Jan. 14 and is modeled on facilities for athletes, with trainers, physical therapists and sports medicine doctors providing timely and innovative care under one roof.
“Airmen can be diagnosed and begin treatment within 72 hours,” said Maj. John Lax, a primary care and sports medicine physician with the 31st Medical Group who works at COBRA.