Photo By Senior Airman Renee Nicole Finona | U.S. Airmen assigned to the 48th Security Forces Squadron patrol a mock deployment...... read more read more
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RAF LAKENHEATH, England -- U.S. Airmen from various units around the world came together to participate in a joint bivouac and Expeditionary Medical Support training exercise at RAF Feltwell, simulating the challenges of operating in a deployed environment Oct. 7-10.
The exercise, designed to enhance readiness and foster collaboration, kicked off with the preparation of a mock deployment site, where Liberty Wing Airmen focused on establishing infrastructure needed for operations in austere environments.
“Exercises like Teal Thunder provide our mission support experts with opportunities to advance through the practice of their essential skill sets,” said Col. Glenn Cameron, 48th Mission Support Group commander. “This allows us to establish a power projection platform that ensures we can execute any and all required capabilities in any environment.”
Airmen within the medical career fields were tasked with setting up temporary shelters, supply depots, and the medical treatment facility, which served as the focal point for emergency care throughout the exercise.
“Our tactics and procedures state we cannot deploy the EMEDS without MSG support,” said 1st Lt. William Price, Medical Readiness Squadron officer in charge. “Being able to integrate into the bivouac ultimately made our part of the exercise a success. Moving forward, establishing this as an annual exercise would be invaluable for the base.”
During the training, Airmen engaged in a range of vital operational tasks, including land navigation, tactical combat casualty care, and chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear defense.
Adding complexity to the training, various injects had been introduced, such as simulated base ground attacks and other emergent threats, testing the response and decision-making capabilities of the team.
“This exercise was a game-changer for our medical teams,” said Col. Nathan Shwamburger, 48th Medical Group commander. “It allowed us to validate our ability to treat and evacuate casualties under the pressure of a simulated combat environment. By the end of the training, our medical Airmen gained invaluable experience, working as a team using their deployable equipment. This entire event allowed them to be certified for a deployment anywhere in the world.”
The involvement of a CV-22 Osprey assigned to the 352nd Special Operations Wing was a highlight of the exercise, as it was utilized to evacuate simulated casualties from RAF Feltwell. The patients were then transferred to the EMEDS facility for emergency medical treatment. This key element will provide Airmen with hands-on experience and the training they need to get certified.
This joint exercise maintained a high level of readiness throughout the 48th Fighter Wing and ensured that our Airmen will be fully prepared to operate in complex and dynamic environments.
| Date Taken: | 10.30.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 10.30.2024 12:50 |
| Story ID: | 484199 |
| Location: | RAF LAKENHEATH , NORFOLK, GB |
| Web Views: | 139 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, RAF Lakenheath exercises contingency training at Exercise Teal Thunder, by SrA Renee Nicole Finona, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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