Exercise tests lifesaving skills Published May 30, 2006 By Tech. Sgt. Gerald Sonnenberg 932nd AW Public Affairs Scott AFB, Illinois -- Members of the 932nd Airlift Wing from Scott AFB, practiced their life-saving skills alongside members of the 146th Medical Group from Channel Islands Air National Guard, Calif., during a joint exercise recently. According to Lt. Col. Richard Feldmeier, 932nd Medical Group deputy commander and exercise planner, the group of over 300, which consisted of the medical group’s 932nd Aeromedical Staging Squadron, Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, Medical Squadron and Aeromedical Flight, is required to conduct a two-day field exercise annually. Why not have the entire group train together and learn what each other does? “This was a great way to conduct a whole patient flow scenario, from start to finish,” said Colonel Feldmeier. The patient flow consisted of recovering the injured person in the field and processing them through various stages of triage and treatment until they were airlifted out on three simulated C-130 missions. The exercise, as well as training, was conducted around Scott Lake where Expeditionary Medical Support and Patient Decontamination facilities were set up. Exercise scenarios also took place at Hangar 1 next to Scott’s flight line where two Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facilities were established and at the Fuel Cell Hangar, the location of the simulated C-130s. “Overall, it went very well for our first attempt at an exercise of this type and size,” added Colonel Feldmeier. “We accomplished more than 4,500 training items, reinforced our present skills and discovered areas we, especially myself as the planner, need to work on for next year. My thanks to all the participants and staff that made it come together.”