The reservists are from the Air Transportable Surgical Squadron but in the main work for the National Health Service (NHS). They cover a range of expertise from neurosurgeon to paramedic.
From RAF Leuchars at any one time, between 5-10 per cent of personnel are engaged in operations and deployments in the Middle East and Afghanistan.
The 15 Medical reservists about to deploy will be in Afghanistan for six months.
For some this will be their 2nd or 3rd out of area deployment, as many are veterans who have seen service in the Balkans, in Kuwait, in Iraq (1st & 2nd Gulf War) and in Afghanistan.
Officer Commanding 612 Squadron, Wing Commander Alison Moode, said:
"With their medical and out-of-area (OOA) military training nearing completion, the 15 medical reservists from 612 Sqn, based at RAF Leuchars in Fife, are shortly to deploy with their regular RAF colleagues to the Field Hospital at Camp Bastion in Afghanistan on Op HERRICK 12.
"The reservists' skill sets cover the full gambit of medical specialities, including Consultant Surgeon and Consultant Anaesthetist; Theatre, Intensive Care and General Ward Nurses; Radiographer and Medics.
"In their civilian jobs many are employed in large NHS hospitals such as Barts in London, Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, etc whilst others, are employed in clinical and non-clinical jobs in wide-ranging civilian appointments as diverse as working on off-shore oil rigs (Nurse) and even a postman (Medic).
"The commitment of these RAF reservists is exceptional, borne out by the fact that they frequently work long shifts in the NHS or civilian environment and then, on their weekends off, proceed to 612 Sqn (County of Aberdeen) RAuxAF, for weekends of intensive military and clinical team training.
"This often results in reservists working 12 days straight and requires travel late evenings or throughout the night!
"These unsung heroes are highly skilled, extremely well motivated and contribute greatly to the clinical and operational output of the Defence Medical Services (DMS) and RAF Medical Services (RAF MS).
"However, without the fabulous support provided by RAF Leuchars and, also, by other RAF MS agencies, such as Tactical Medical Wing, it is fully acknowledged that 612 Sqn would not be able to do its job and generate this vital DMS capability.
"It is this team effort which prepares these reservists to be so efficient and effective and to fully integrate into OOA Ops, whether employed in the flying ambulance (Medical Emergency Recovery Team - MERT) role or work within a large field hospital, such as at Camp Bastion."