Photo By Senior Airman Jakob Ivanick | Airmen from the 152nd Medical Group are briefed prior to a scenario at University...... read more read more
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – As the excitement revved up for the inaugural Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix, the Nevada Air National Guard geared up for Operation Silver Circuit, a mission dedicated to ensuring the safety and security of Las Vegas residents and visitors alike. Approximately 40 Airmen from the 152nd Medical Group (152 MDG) were activated on state orders from Nov. 15 to 19, 2023 in support of local law enforcement and first responders at two key hospitals in the city.
The Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix drew enthusiasts and spectators from around the world to the Las Vegas strip. Operation Silver Circuit, activated by the Nevada National Guard, acted as a precautionary measure aimed at bolstering security measures and emergency response capabilities during the event, emphasizing a commitment to public safety.
The operation involved the deployment of 152 MDG Airmen positioned at two hospitals near the racetrack. The primary focus was ensuring safety and the seamless functioning of emergency response operations. Despite no credible threats at the time, the Nevada National Guard took proactive steps to reduce any potential risks, drawing on its extensive experience in supporting local law enforcement and first responders.
Technical Sgt. Zeshan Mahmood, the Noncommissioned Officer in Charge at one of the sites, fully understands the importance of taking those proactive steps and echoed what it meant for the 152 MDG to be here.
“We grasp the gravity of the situation, the potential for calamity and why we have been asked to be here,” said Mahmood. “We understand that these sorts of things can be very dynamic, and ever changing. We're all professionals, so we know how to handle those sorts of situations and how not to.”
The 152 MDG understands that their presence is a collaborative effort with the local hospitals, emphasizing their commitment to aid in any way possible during the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix.
“I see us as an extension of the hospital,” said Capt. Erica Steele, a critical care nurse overseeing the University Medical Center (UMC) site. “We are here to help with triage, basic life-saving and patient flow. In the case of a mass casualty event, it is crucial that we are here to help the hospital care for their trauma victims.”
Frontline responders, like Ms. Soraya Robertson, a civilian emergency response nurse at UMC Hospital, expressed the hospital’s invaluable relief and appreciation of the support provided by the Airmen’s’ presence.
“It definitely relieves a lot of the stress of a potential mass casualty event,” said Robertson. “We feel we can better serve the community. It’s nice to have almost a sidekick, you know, somebody who is a partner that's like, ‘Hey, I got your back.’ It relieves a lot of stress, and we love the support.”
The activation is a testament to the ongoing partnership between the Nevada National Guard and local emergency response agencies, showcasing the commitment to effective emergency response and ongoing collaboration.
| Date Taken: | 11.19.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 11.21.2023 12:11 |
| Story ID: | 458160 |
| Location: | LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, US |
| Web Views: | 46 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Operation Silver Circuit: Nevada Air National Guard Supports Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix, by SrA Jakob Ivanick, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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