U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Nandie Merjilla, a 35th Surgical Operations Squadron orthopedics clinic technician, removes a cast from a patient’s leg at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Nov. 15, 2017. Orthopedics is a medical specialty unit performing treatment of the musculoskeletal system, including joints, ligaments, muscles and nerves. Technicians also treat patients in the clinic and are physician assistants for orthopedic surgeons. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Xiomara M. Martinez)