SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii -- As the powerful blades of the HH-60M Black Hawk slice through the air, a team of dedicated medical Airmen race toward the chopper. Their hearts pound with urgency, their minds sharp with focus. Without hesitation, they move, ready to deliver life-saving care in the face of uncertainty.
Those medical Airmen were U.S. Air Force medical personnel assigned to 452nd, 944th and 624th Aeromedical Staging Squadrons, who participated in Exercise NEXUS FORGE at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, Feb. 1-14, 2025.
Exercise NEXUS FORGE is a large-scale, multi-theater exercise designed to certify and enhance the readiness of our Reserve forces for deployment in contested environments. This rigorous training event integrates real-world scenarios, joint-force coordination and advanced operational tactics to ensure our Airmen are prepared to respond effectively—wherever and whenever the Air Force requires their support.
“This exercise gives realism to their jobs,” said Lt. Col. Janet Baxa, 624th ASTS chief nurse. “It’s more real life than at home. This exercise brings everything together.”
Exercise NEXUS FORGE allowed medical personnel to experience the full deployment process from initial medical clearance to patient transport using fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters. The training emphasizes the importance of stabilization, proper documentation and efficient patient movement.
Many participants, including newer Airmen, have never deployed. For them, NF25 provides a chance to see how different roles come together in a real-world setting.
“It’s really good to see this in a training environment,” said Airman 1st Class Kylie Thomas, 624th ASTS aerospace medical technician. “Seeing how doctors, nurses, communications teams and even dietary specialists all work together is really eye-opening.”
In a crisis or contingency, medical Airmen must determine who requires urgent care at a major hospital and who can be treated on-site, ensuring resources are used efficiently.
“This is why our mission is so critical,” Baxa said. “Moving patients safely and efficiently to the right level of care is our top priority.”
NF25 brought together units from across the Air Force Reserve Command and integrated Army assets, including HH-60M Black Hawk helicopters, to provide realistic training.
“It’s amazing that AFRC can put together an exercise of this scale,” Baxa said. “We don’t always have these opportunities, so being able to work together, identify our strengths and improve before a real deployment is invaluable.”
| Date Taken: | 02.05.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 02.13.2025 19:25 |
| Story ID: | 490371 |
| Location: | SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, HAWAII, US |
| Web Views: | 44 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Medical Airmen participate in Exercise NEXUS FORGE 2025, by SrA Mark Colmenares and SSgt James Fritz, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
