EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- 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.