(LEX 18) Operation Bobcat is a mission for the Air National Guard to receive medical training by offering free health care services to residents in Breathitt, Estill, Owsley, and Lee Counties.
If you have something you need to get checked out, now is your chance. The Air National Guard and US Navy Reserve from around the country are setting up shop in Eastern Kentucky and offering free medical, dental, and optometry care to anyone who needs it.
"We need more stuff like that around here, you know, more people getting involved in the everyday community," said Beattyville resident Ewan Thompson.
Air National Guard officials said that the program is a win-win because it is a training service for more than 215 service members.
"The greatest thing for us is that it gives us a chance to do some training with the portable units we’d get in a deployment type situation and then as a sidebar that helps the community, we get to provide care for people that might not otherwise get taken care of," said Major Brett Ringger, a Texas National Guard Optometrist.
"Some of us are actually from Kentucky, we’re from the Kentucky Air National Guard, and for us, it’s especially rewarding because we get to help folks here in our home state," said Lt. Col. Amy Mundell.
You don’t need insurance, or even an ID, to get a teeth cleaning, filling, extraction, a sports physical, or a new pair of glasses.
"I wish everybody could have an opportunity in this situation, we need it for this area," said Beattyville resident Samuel Thompson.
The four clinics will be open from June 15-24. The hours are 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday-Saturday and on Sunday from noon- 4 p.m.
The locations are Lee County High School in Beattyville, Owsley County High School in Booneville, Estill County High School in Irvine, and Breathitt County High School in Jackson.
Patients will be accepted on a first-come, first- serve walk-in basis.
The clinics are open to anyone ages 2 and older, regardless of place of residence. No insurance is required. An ID is not necessary to receive care.
Learn more here.
