Mass-casualty exercise tests rescue teamwork

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Frances Locquiao
  • 23rd Wing public affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  Editor's note: This is the first part of a two-part series on a recent 347th Rescue Group mass-casualty exercise.  The exercise demonstrated the cooperation that exists between the different aspects of Moody's rescue mission. 

Conducting a rescue mission is like a team sport in many ways. Each specialized  position is required to ensure human lives are saved.  Rescue assets from the 347th Rescue Group recently demonstrated this synergy during a recent mass casualty exercise here,   

The exercise simulated a MH-53 Pave Low helicopter crash and involved treating 25 victims from the crash site, providing immediate medical care and transporting them to safety.

To assist the victims on the ground, a team of pararescuemen and combat rescue officers were inserted to the scene from an overhead HC-130P King and HH-60G Pave Hawks.  

The entire team's mission was to efficiently establish a triage, stabilize the patients, move them out of the crash site and maintain security at the same time, said Capt. David Toepher, 38th RQS combat rescue officer. 

"This exercise was a chance for our CROs and PJs to practice their combat and rescue skills during a mass casualty scenario," said Captain Toepher. "This training will better prepare them for upcoming deployments." 

Before the exercise occurred, volunteers from around the base were transformed using moulage, or wound make-up, and costumes to simulate victims.

"It took approximately three hours to complete the process," said Tech Sgt. Robert Scott, 38th RQS medical readiness NCO in-charge. "We used realistic animations to show people having injuries ranging from abdominal eviscerations to broken fingers."

The victims were positioned around a UH-1 Huey helicopter body that had been rolled onto its side. While waiting, they rehearsed on what they would do or say when the PJs arrived.

Staff Sgt. Kimberly Matthews, a 910th Airlift Wing dental technician from Youngstown Air Reserve Station, Ohio, played a victim who was trapped under the helicopter.

"It was uncomfortable being in my position, but it gives an accurate portrayal of what's going on in Iraq," said Sergeant Matthews. "Anytime you provide someone with hands-on experience, it improves their capabilities and that was rewarding."

Shortly after the casualties were in place, rescue flares were lit and the rescue exercise was on. The PJ's quickly arrived to the site, parachuting to the site from the 71st Rescue Squadron's HC-130P.

Soon a 41st Rescue Squadron HH-60G Pave Hawk swooped in and hovered overhead as additional PJ's rappelled in to establish a casualty collection point 200 meters away from the crash site. In addition, two Airmen from the 822nd Security Forces Squadron simulated friendly ground forces and assisted in providing security at the CCP.

As the PJs arrived, they immediately established a triage, which is the process of categorizing patients based on the severity of their injuries. Each victim was labeled with a triage tag.

While patients were transported to the CCP, the PJs began efforts to remove a victim trapped under the helicopter using an extraction kit. The team inflated air bags to lift the "crashed" helicopter so the patient could be pulled free.

"It was amazing to see the PJs put to the test," said Sergeant Scott. "They demonstrated their many skills during the scenario."

Once all patients were removed from the crash site, the rescue team joined the others at the CCP and continued to stabilize patients while waiting their ride out via the returning Pave Hawks.

Throughout the exercise, the rescue Airmen were also being evaluated on their performance by senior leadership.

"We were looking to make sure they were adhering to the proper tactics, techniques and procedures," said Captain Toepher. "We can learn from their experiences and change the TTPs so that we can better function as a combat unit."

As soon as the Pave Hawk arrived, two or three patients at a time were loaded into the helicopter and transported to a waiting HC-130P, where the on-board crewmembers provided simulated in-flight medical assistance to the patients.

The exercise lasted approximately five hours and was a good learning experience, said Captain Toepher.

"The team overall did a great job," he said. "They were able to get organized and work as a team. Hopefully, they can use what they've learned here in a deployed environment."