Airmen, national agencies unite in 'saving' lives

Published May 20, 2011
By Airman 1st Class Armando A. Schwier-Morales
22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. -- A massive earthquake "struck" Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and other states along the New Madrid fault, causing more than 400,000 "victims" to fill up the disaster area's hospitals.

As the news spreads of the disaster, Air Force engines begin to roar, medics suit up and the aeromedical mission is put in to action to save lives.

The described scenario was part of the National Level Exercise 2011 a training exercise designed to test the local, state and national response to a simulated earthquake and to evacuate hundreds of thousands of "victims" to hospitals around the U.S.

McConnell's location was far away enough from the epicenter so "patients" could be evacuated here and then transported to local Wichita, Kan., area medical centers.

"If we don't train the way we fight, then we won't know what our strengths and weaknesses are," said Dr. Fletcher Miller, Robert J. Dole Veterans Affairs medical center emergency room physician. "We do this so we are prepared, in case of unforeseen circumstances, and so that everybody is on the same page and the process works as smoothly as possible."

Airmen from the 22nd Medical Group joined forces with the National Disaster Medical System, area hospitals, the Salvation Army, American Red Cross, the Community Emergency Response Team, Sedgwick County response teams and various other community agencies. The exercise began May 16 with planning and ended May 19. The exercise simulated approximately 550 victims landing on McConnell's flightline.

"During this exercise we had excellent coordination, facilities, manpower and communication to get the job done so that everybody can feel safe and know that they can be taken care of," said Maj. Ty Hunt, 22nd MDG exercise evaluation team chief.

The intent of this exercise is to tax the Wichita and surrounding area hospitals by transporting patients by way of C-130 Hercules and other Air Mobility Command aircraft.

"This exercise is great because it shows that the military and civilian teams can work together to perform aeromedical evacuations across the U.S.," said Staff Sgt. Holly Mason, 43rd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron aeromedical evacuation technician. "It's rewarding to be part of this exercise because you get to showcase your skills and people are appreciative for what you can do for them."

Realistic injuries like burns, cuts and fractures were applied through makeup and fake blood to add affect to the exercise.

"I feel like participating in this exercise is great for everybody and an adventure for me," said Casey Amos, a Barton Community Collage student who acted as a "wounded man" for the exercise. "It's great to help out the Airmen and community to be prepared for anything that may happen."

At the end of the week, the earthquake scenario was only a training exercise but Ted Wyglendowski, Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center director of emergency management, was glad for the chance to work together with other medical centers and learn from each other.

"It makes me feel great that the VA worked so close with all the community partners, hospitals and most importantly McConnell," said Mr. Wyglendowski. "Without McConnell, we wouldn't be able to do this."