403rd Citizen Airmen prepare for mass casualty, Ebola threats

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Brian Lamar
  • 403rd Wing Public Affairs
KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  More than 75 Airmen assigned to the 403rd Aeromedical Staging Squadron teamed up with 10 Naval reservist personnel from the Naval Construction Battalion Center Operation Health Support Unit in Gulfport, Mississippi to participate in a medical training exercise named Operation Sundown at Keesler Air Force Base May 10-16.

Operation Sundown's purpose was to test the aeromedical squadron's ability to rapidly deploy. In the exercise scenarios, the 403rd ASTS deployed to Liberia and were required to test its administrative actions by properly in-processing its members for a quick reaction deployment. During the exercise, medical staff also tested their ability to triage and treat a mass amount of casualties then safely move them to awaiting aircraft for casualty evacuation. The medical staff also practiced containing patients who were a risk for the Ebola virus
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"This is sustainment training we are required to do every two years. We decided to train in house and conduct the operation for ourselves," said Maj. Craig Breland, the 403rd ASTS executive officer.

Typically, the ASTS staff can be found on a drill weekend examining and treating other reservists during physicals and immunizations at the Keesler AFB Medical Center. This type of training was considered out of the norm for many.

"On the weekend, it is all physicals and things like that. Now we have to work with battlefield injuries and the whole team is getting to work together in a combat scenario in the field," said Breland.

Senior medical staffers in the squadron found the opportunity to train the junior and less experienced members of their squadron who were happy to receive the hands-on training.

"I have only been in ASTS for a year. This training is exciting and very educational. It gives you an idea of how field operations are handled," said Senior Airman Bianca Roland, a 403rd ASTS medical technician. "I am learning how to safely transport patients and just learn how to do my job patiently and carefully."