News

McChord medical unit 'treats' their own during Reserve weekend

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Jake Chappelle
  • 446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
MCCHORD FIELD, Wash. --  Several dead and critically wounded Air Force Reservists were recovered and medically treated after a massive earthquake caused major destruction to the 446th Aeromedical Staging Squadron facility here at Hangar 12, Nov. 2.

Well, that's not exactly how it happened, but it isn't too far off. The 130 446th ASTS Reserve Airmen took part in two mass-casualty training exercises--one in the morning and the other in the afternoon--in order to remain in compliance with their readiness requirements.

Col. Sam Barringer, the 446th ASTS commander, wanted his squadron to be exposed to a real-world triage and patient transportation in a realistic, but safe, setting. The unit is governed by specific Air Force Instruction requirements, which require the demonstration of these techniques--Medical Readiness Regulation AFI 41-106 to be exact.

Senior Master Sgt. Jonathan Lapham, 446th ASTS Operations Flight superintendent, said the exercises were designed to stress the unit's capability to handle a mass-casualty scenario with limited resources. It also served as a dual opportunity for the seasoned squadron members to brush up on their training, while giving the newer Airmen the chance to see how their training is applied in a real-world scenario.

"The success is measured against the objectives that were set in the planning portion," he said. "We met all of the objectives to varying degrees--some were rock solid, some were met but could use strengthening in the future."

Lapham, a registered nurse at MultiCare Tacoma General Hospital, was one of the exercise planners, designers, and inspectors, who also participated in one of the drills as a player.

"Our commander wanted 100-percent player participation, so we had two separate inspection teams to ensure everyone went through at least one scenario as a player," he said.

Lapham said recapping after the first exercise enabled them to identify and address issues and apply the changes to the second scenario.

"The 'hot wash' (exercise assessment) after each scenario gives the opportunity to identify the pluses and minuses," he said. "Those are used to build a better exercise the next time, and to identify which items need to be added to our yearly training schedule, so weak areas can be improved before the next exercise."

The 446th Airlift Wing Inspector General Inspection Office's purpose was to assess the exercise evaluators.

"If we didn't have exercises we'd be selling our Airmen short, and not equipping them properly for adversity they may face," said Lt. Col. David Jeske, 446th AW IGI chief. "Exercises such as this one provide the participants with realistic, hands-on training and experience."

Jeske supports exercise scenario repetition and encourages squadron leaders to do the same.

The best thing commanders and the command can do is provide Airmen with training and experience, which will enable them to be successful in potential crisis situations they might face, he said. This exercise provided just that.

From Lapham's standpoint, the 446th ASTS Citizen Airmen gave a notable overall performance.

"I think our unit did a phenomenal job executing this exercise," said the 18-year 446th ASTS Airman. "A mass-casualty exercise is always a chaotic scene, and the men and women of the (446th ASTS) proved they are more than capable of taking the training they received to work together and effectively manage the chaos. They took care of their patients (and) one another, and did it safely. I'm fortunate to be a part of such a top-notch, and in my opinion, the stand out best--ASTS."