442nd medics save 'victims' during readiness exercise

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Dani Wolf
  • 442nd Fighter Wing
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  Capt. Sabrina Hawkins, a nurse in the 442nd Medical Squadron, felt prepared for the wing's operational readiness exercise - after all, she'd been faced with a similar situation in the "real world."

Her medical knowledge was put to the ultimate test during Hurricane Katrina nearly four years ago. As a nurse with the 926th Fighter Wing out of New Orleans Naval Air Station, Captain Hawkins was responsible for attending to severely injured civilians - and just like an actual contingency, the wing's exercise, March 13-15, called for quick thinking and urgent responses.

"(During the hurricane) we set up an outside hospital and worked out of tents," Captain Hawkins said. "Just like that, we have minimal resources to work with for these exercises."

The medical-services Airmen had only four mobile litters, which were used both as carriers and operating tables, and a few small boxes of supplies to work with. While a regular hospital has a variety of medical equipment and supplies, these Airmen were required to improvise with the resources they had in the field.

The nurses, doctors and medical technicians were practically silent during the exercise's chemical and missile attacks. But the atmosphere changed dramatically once the first victim arrived at the medical tent set up in front of the wing's 5-Bay Hangar.

Played by Tech. Sgt. James Young, the simulated victim had severe intestinal injuries, but was quickly cared for by Captain Hawkins and Staff Sgt. Callie Brockman.

With minimal assistance, the Airmen rolled Sergeant Young from the ground onto the litter and carried him to the mobile operating table where they attended to his wounds. After a quick assessment, they began traumatic-injury procedures, which included giving him oxygen and bandaging his wounds.

The squadron was divided into two teams: the trauma team and the medical team. The trauma team dealt with injuries directly related to combat, while the medical team dealt with injuries as a result of physical or pre-existing conditions.

Another injured Airman, played by Staff Sgt. Carl Hawke, required assistance from both teams. While he simulated a complicated cardiac arrest, medical teams worked together to treat him. Maj. Shawn Zembles read from a treatment pathway checklist while instructed each team member on the next step in the procedure.

"The initial stuff, we have memorized," Major Zembles said. "The point is to make this as realistic as possible, just short of actually using (the emergency equipment) on our patient."

The major said Citizen Airmen received an array of hands-on cases, all realistic to what they would see in a combat zone. Airmen that work on trauma cases would see injuries like lacerations and fractures, while those who work on conditional cases would see injuries associated with chest pains or asthma.

According to Major Zembles, the medical squadron provided definitive care and treated patients within their abilities, which often meant simulating air evacuations for patients with circumstances that exceeded the medical capabilities in a deployed location.

Amn. Sorocco Mercado has been an Air Force medical technician for less than two years. But as the youngest member of the medical squadron who will be participating in the operational readiness inspection, she is gaining first-hand experience that will benefit her military and civilian career.

As a first responder for the fire department, Airman Mercado said she is receiving significant training on medical traumas and appropriate responses to different situations.

"The standards are different on the military and civilian sides," Airman Mercado said. "As a civilian, we don't work as much as a team, but here you have someone to help you and teach you along the way."

Several Citizen Airmen from the medical squadron work in the field for their civilian career as well. Because of their Air Force training, many of them are qualified beyond their civilian employers' requirements.

"The education I've received has been more broad in the military," Sergeant Hawke said. "There have been times I've tried to get a (civilian) job and actually been overqualified because of my military experience."

One officer with a great deal of experience is Lt. Col. Alfred Garcia. The colonel was a civilian emergency room doctor for 20 years. For the last eight years, Colonel Garcia has worked as a physician in a prison.

Although he does this type of work daily, the colonel said the exercises are still beneficial refreshers for him and the scenarios can still be difficult to work with.

"It's always difficult trying to get the equipment you need in a timely manner," he said.

Despite their challenges, the medical squadron assisted several injured patients at a time, and ultimately succeeded in their mission.

Master Sgt. Charles Roller, exercise evaluation team member who acts as an inspector, said there are still some challenges facing the Airmen, like continuing to develop a greater sense of urgency.

"They can do their medical work; we just have to work on more scenarios," Sergeant Roller said. "They are very skilled at their jobs though."

As the reservists of the 442nd Medical Squadron gain more experience during exercises, it will prepare them not only for the wing's ORI in October, but also for the real thing during the next "Hurricane Katrina."