512th Aerospace Medicine Squadron participates in mass casualty exercise

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Mercedes Crossland
  • 512th Public Affairs
DOVER AFB, Del. --  DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. - Reservists from the 512th Aerospace Medicine Squadron run in the direction of screams of pain and calls for help.

The scene of a C-5 crash on route 1 and a person driving a car who was distracted by the C-5 accident ran into Civil Air Patrol Squadron cadets who were in formation at the time.  Fortunately, it was simulated.

Active duty responded to the first simulated incident and did not require help.  But after the car accident, they were over tasked and called 512th AMDS for assistance. That's the result of a simulated mass casualty exercise, November 2 here.

"It was great having the CAP participate in our exercise, Maj. John Rundle, 512th AMDS exercise planner, said "They brought energy to the exercise that has been missing in past events. They took their roles seriously which made the scenario more realistic for our members."

"As with any exercise our hope is that our AMDS members can gain experience and practice their skills in a scenario based event, Rundle said "We really use the scenarios to take time to teach our junior members the skills needed to perform their job in an emergency situation."  

The 114th AMDS have members whose occupations range from flight surgeons and general practice physicians to medical administrators and laboratory technicians. They provide services as maintaining of medical records, eye and dental examinations for approx. 1650 members to ensure are worldwide qualified for deployment.

"As for the CAP my hope was to let them see another aspect that the Air Force offers as a possible career option."  Said Rundle "We hope that the exercise was fun for them and may spark an interest in a carrier in medicine or the medical Corp of the Air Force."

The annual exercise encompassed all types of training scenarios, from save as many lives as possible, triaging patients and bandaging broken and missing limbs.