By 2nd Lt. Karissa Rodriguez / Published February 13, 2020
Airmen unload a stretcher carrying a simulated wounded Soldier during a mass casualty exercise Feb. 5 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The exercise tested the 96th Medical Group’s responses to receiving several wounded soldiers from the 6th Ranger Training Battalion. (U.S. Air Force photo/2nd Lt. Karissa Rodriguez)
Senior Airman Jordyn Campbell, 96th Medical Group, assesses a simulated patient during the 6th Ranger Training Battalion’s mass casualty exercise Feb. 5 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The exercise tested the 96th MDG’s medical capabilities and rescue effort coordination with Eglin first responders and county rescue teams to a major accident on the Eglin range. (U.S. Air Force photo/Ilka Cole)
Airmen apply a tourniquet to a simulated wounded patient during a mass casualty exercise Feb. 5 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The exercise tested the 96th Medical Group’s responses to receiving several wounded soldiers from the 6th Ranger Training Battalion. (U.S. Air Force photo/2nd Lt. Karissa Rodriguez)
Senior Airman Ashley Kennedy, 96th Medical Group radiology technician, simulates an X-Ray of during the medical portion of the 6th Ranger Training Battalion’s mass casualty exercise Feb. 5 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The exercise tested the 96th MDG’s medical capabilities and rescue effort coordination with Eglin first responders and county rescue teams to a major accident on the Eglin range. (U.S. Air Force photo/Ilka Cole)
Lt. Col. Manuel Nunez, 96th Medical Group, evaluates a simulated wounded Soldier’s injuries during a mass casualty exercise Feb. 5 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The exercise tested the 96th MDG’s responses to receiving several simulated wounded soldiers from the Army’s 6th Ranger Training Battalion. (U.S. Air Force photo/2nd Lt. Karissa Rodriguez)
A 96th Medical Group Airman gives a simulated patient an injection during the medical portion of the 6th Ranger Training Battalion’s mass casualty exercise Feb. 5 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The exercise tested the 96th MDG’s medical capabilities and rescue effort coordination with Eglin first responders and county rescue teams to a major accident on the Eglin range. (U.S. Air Force photo/Ilka Cole)
Airmen provide care and hold a simulated patient’s ventilation tube and ventilation bag during the medical portion of the 6th Ranger Training Battalion’s mass casualty exercise Feb. 5 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The exercise tested the 96th MDG’s medical capabilities and rescue effort coordination with Eglin first responders and county rescue teams to a major accident on the Eglin range. (U.S. Air Force photo/Ilka Cole)
Lt. Col. Mark Lytle, 96th Medical Group chief vascular surgery, discusses the simulated patient’s medical treatment during the medical portion of the 6th Ranger Training Battalion’s mass casualty exercise Feb. 5 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The exercise tested the 96th MDG’s medical capabilities and rescue effort coordination with Eglin first responders and county rescue teams to a major accident on the Eglin range. (U.S. Air Force photo/Ilka Cole)
The 96th Medical group leveled up its medical training in a large-scale exercise with several Eglin units here, Feb 5th.
Over a dozen medical response teams and over 200 medics provided rapid care to 14 patients, while simultaneously fulfilling the requirements of the training exercise.
The purpose of this event was primarily to provide medical support for 6th Ranger Training Battalion’s mass casualty exercise deep on the Eglin range. The first responders triaged the simulated wounded Soldiers on scene. Then 96th MDG Airmen along with county emergency teams transported the patients to the hospital to receive elevated levels of care from physicians.
“This is IG, 6th RTB, and 96th MDG getting together and deciding this is the right thing for our operational force. It is specifically to make sure we are always ready to respond anywhere Team Eglin is training,” said Col. Matthew Hanson, 96th MDG commander, about the annual exercise. “We are doing this so our forces are safe and we are ready to respond.”
Upon arrival, the patients are prioritized based on condition severity. Injuries ranged from a fractured spine and a snake bite to a head laceration. The patients were distributed to various departments based on their needs such as x-ray and the trauma section. Serious injuries were taken into an operating room for surgery or to intensive care for monitoring.
“This gives us a platform to get real-world tactical training at a joint level not normally encountered at Air Force installations,” said Senior Master Sgt. Nathan Burger.