Waiting in line

BENIN, Africa - Locals wait in line for vision tests and glasses provided by members of the 920th Rescue Wing Aeromedical Staging Squadron during their two week annual tour. The natives spoke only French and African dialects, forcing Tech. Sgt. David Hauser to use his knowledge of the French language to provide a steady communication flow. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. David Hauser).

A visionary squad

BENIN, Africa - Maj. David Monbeck, Maj. Kelli Parks, and Tech. Sgt. David Hauser pose for a quick photo while on duty during their two-week annual tour. As an optometry technician for the 920th Aeromedical Staging Squadron, Sgt Hauser performed vision tests and provided glasses to Benin natives. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. David Hauser).

All smiles

BENIN, Africa - A young boy stops and smiles for the camera while waiting his turn for a vision test. The 920th Resce Wing Aeromedical Staging Squadron performed their two-week annual tour by providing vision tests and glasses to the natives. Despite numerous challenges and language barriers, all found the opportunity greatly rewarding. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. David Hauser).

Locals improve their vision

BENIN, Africa - Local military officers enjoy improved quality of life thanks to vision tests and glasses provided by the 920th Rescue Wing Aeromedical Staging Squadron during their annual tour. The two-week mandatory assignment allows Reservists extremley rewarding opportunities, despite numerous challenges. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. David Hauser).

All eyes on Africa

Published Feb. 15, 2011
By Capt. Ryan Liss
920th Rescue Wing Public Affairs

PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Whether it's filling out a new glasses prescription, or preparing gas mask inserts for a deploying Airmen, Technical Sgt. David Hauser, optometry technician for the 920th Aeromedical Staging Squadron (ASTS) here, never has a quiet day.

A former active duty Airmen, Sergeant Hauser transferred over six years ago as a traditional Reservist, serving his country one weekend a month and two weeks a year, and has not looked back. In fact, he just signed up for another six years.

Sergeant Hauser keeps knowledge of his trade fresh, serving as an optometry technician day-to-day while also enjoying some part-time responsibilities as an assistant manager at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios, Florida.

Sergeant Hauser's deployment record is short due to a huge need for his career field stateside; however, he did spend a two-week annual tour in Benin, Africa, where he and his fellow Reservists helped provide eye exams and glasses to locals in the area.

"Benin was different and challenging," Sergeant Hauser said. "Whereas we have all these automated tools and equipment, we had to perform these same exams without those luxuries."

"Here, we take a projector and put a giant 'E' on the wall, but over there, we had to use a piece of paper to get the same results."

Aside from the technological challenges, Benin also provided some language barriers. Their official language is French, but many spoke in native African dialects. Therefore, Sergeant Hauser, who speaks some French, would communicate to the French-speaking Benin natives, who would translate in their native dialects to the other people.

Despite the numerous challenges, Sergeant Hauser found his annual tour to be extremely rewarding.

"We were improving their vision," he said. "Whether or not we could find them spectacles, we were able to still improve their quality of life."

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