Medical Squadron takes on challenge of new joint exercise

  • Published
  • By TSgt Stephen C. Bailey
  • 301st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
NAS JRB FT WORTH, TEXAS --     More than 150 Air Force and Navy medical team members joined together at Joint Reserve Base Carswell for the first-time in an enhanced simulated Mass Casualty exercise Sept 19. The exercise faced the medical staff with 100 victims of aircraft crashes and biological weapons. The victims were recovered, medically treated and then air evacuated by the U.S. Marines.
   This training prepares military medical services for growing real world commitments.
"Exercises for us are never taken lightly but are real opportunities for us to learn so we are ready when the real thing happens," said MSgt Allan Folsom, 301st Medical Squadron. "We take these training moments very seriously because there is no play time when lives are at stake." 
   Teams from the 301st Medical Squadron and the Navy's Occupational Health Support Unit (OHSU) worked side by side in stimulating medical discussions for the evaluation and treatment of a variety of horrific injuries. The attention to realism caused one participant to remark how the make-believe carnage brought home the old adage "war is hell."
   Medical doctors, nurses and corpsman worked as one unit to evaluate plans, policies and procedures and systems guiding the primary response and recovery process while maintaining a safe and secure environment.
   Capt. Norcise Williams, a member of 301st Medical Squadron and one of the event evaluators, also saw how both military branches worked to achieve adequate responses for each medical need creating a good harmony with each other.
   There were more than 22 evaluators who ensured the patients were moved, treated and followed up in the appropriate manner. Medical Providers applied current knowledge expertise, excellent teaching platforms and helped provide patient care in a mass casualty environment.
   "The exercise was indeed a success in meeting our unit's goals and objectives," said Maj. Patricia Herbelin, 301st Medical Squadron exercise team leader.
   "Both services were able to test and evaluate their own plans, policies and procedures. Throughout the exercise we revealed our proficiencies and deficiencies.
   "We also helped clarify and practice roles and responsibilities, improve individual and team performance, and demonstrate capabilities to our sister organizations. The most valuable gain we had was developing vital teamwork with the Navy and Marines. Hopefully this bond will continue to support us all as we learn, work, and save lives together."
   The younger members of the medical exercise also witnessed first-hand the importance of one-on-one training. Petty officer 2nd Class Marianne Pierce and 1st Lieutenant Junior Grade Cheryl Grenas were both in the heat of the action throughout the exercise.
   "Wow, this has been a fantastic way to build on our skills and to learn," said Lt. Grenas. "I hope we can spend more time working together because experiences like this will only help us to be better prepared to save lives," said HM2 Pierce.
   As a result of this exercise, the 301st Medics and Navy OHSU will combine drill four times a year in January, April, July and September.
   "We also will team up to utilize each other's training facilities," Major Herbelin explained. "Their corpsmen were so impressed with our skills lab that they were doing additional training there the following day."
   Additional training will also be conducted with the Marine pilots who have agreed to allow 301st flight surgeons to join them anytime so they can fulfill flight surgeon air currency hours.
   "These are great examples of how our services can learn and team with each other to make a difference in medical services," said Major DeShawn Stewart, 301st Medical Squadron physician. "This initial exercise brought high tempo training that will aid us in real-world preparation and execution. We hope to do these trainings more often with our Navy friends."
   The exercise keyed on several important areas. These included patient movement, proper performance of litter carries, patient tracking, communication training, and patient count and status. Along with that evaluators observed how medical professionals performed real time applications of splints, tourniquets, and airway management.
   "Today, we saw two very good units come together to share their skills in getting the job done in a very difficult and time sensitive exercise," said Navy onsite commander David Lu. "I was very happy to see the work done in this exercise - everyone performed with sense of professionalism and urgency. Overall, it was a great collaboration of superb medical talents."
   Both teams reviewed their performances following the exercise and made plans for additional training times. A combined picnic culminated their training efforts together.
"We made a huge impact in medical training with the combining of our medical teams," said Navy Lt Christine Wynns.
   "I saw an energy today that I hope will continue to grow to help us become better medical professionals. This exercise showed how the Air Force and Navy are an even stronger medical force when we work as one."
   Lt. Col. William Craig, 301st Medical Squadron director, hinted that the great results from this first joint exercise brought consideration for the potential for more joint exercises in the future.
  "The exercise was an outstanding success. It brought 3 committed sister services together in one local exercise. Everyone who participated learned a great deal and this joint exercise set the stage for future joint efforts by the Navy, Marine, and Air Force Reserve at NAS JRB, Fort Worth."