An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | Sept. 28, 2020

177th Medical Group trains for tactical combat casualty care

By Airman 1st Class Hunter Hires 177th Fighter Wing

ATLANTIC CITY AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, N.J. – The 177th Medical Group trained in combat casualty care Sept. 14-15.

The training was provided by the nonprofit Southern New Jersey EMS Collaborative, which educates first responders in medical, disaster and tactical operations.

“Tactical Combat Casualty Care, or TCCC, is for medics, physicians, nurses, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, etc.,” said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Justin E. Kaenzig, the 4N functional manager at the 177th Fighter Wing. “It’s training on combat casualty care that you would see implemented in both a deployed location, as well as here in the United States.”

The Tactical Combat Casualty Care - Medical Provider (TCCC-MP) course is not a “one-size-fits-all” class.

“There are different levels,” said Kaenzig. “Particularly, we’re going through the medical provider, but there are other levels. There’s a four-hour course, an eight-hour course, a 16-hour course and a 40-hour course.”

Kaenzig said the course should be taught throughout the Air Force, including the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserves.

“I feel that when it comes to the Medical Group, and the Wing as a whole, TCCC-MP would benefit everybody, because it reinforces the wingman concept,” said Kaenzig. “In a mass casualty situation, anyone is able to be pulled for any situation related to caring for a patient. In my opinion, this training is absolutely necessary for all Airmen to know before they go into the AOR (Area of Responsibility), or combat zones in the United States.”

If the goal is to have more Airmen trained, the fact that it was hosted at the 177th Fighter Wing is a step in the right direction.

“The benefit of having the training here is that it increases the maximum amount of Airmen who can receive it,” said Kaenzig.

The TCCC-MP isn’t just beneficial to Airmen whose careers come with a medical inclination.

“It really gets seen by wing leadership,” said Kaenzig. “Other sections get to see it as well. Our fire department (177th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighters) and ASOS (177th Air Support and Operations Squadron); the Fire Department is made up of first responders, and ASOS ends up in the field.”

 

 

Related Articles
U.S. Army Spc. Gordon Trotman, member of the New Jersey National Guard’s 21st Weapons of Mass Destruction–Civil Support Team, left,  observes as Spc. Andrew DeJesus, also with the 21st WMD-CST, uses his phone to communicate with team members during a joint training exercise at Mercer County Park, West Windsor Township, New Jersey, July 31, 2025. The 177th Fighter Wing Explosive Ordnance Disposal team collaborated with the 21st WMD-CST and the NJ State Police to prepare for security operations at the 2026 FIFA World Cup games at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ.
New Jersey Air Guard 177th Civil Engineer Squadron Trains for World Cup Security
By Airman Alex Cadavid, | Aug. 18, 2025
ATLANTIC CITY AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, N.J. - Airmen from the New Jersey Air National Guard’s 177th Civil Engineer Squadron participated in a recent training exercise with the 21st Weapons of Mass Destruction-Civil Support...

Lt. Col Matthew Secko, 170th Air Refueling Squadron commander, right, receives the unit guidon from Col. William Liess, 108th Operations Group commander, left, during the 170th assumption of command ceremony March 7, 2024, at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey. Secko is the first commander of the newly activated 170th Air Refueling Squadron.
New Jersey National Guard Activates Air Refueling Squadron
By 108th Wing/Public Affairs | March 12, 2024
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. - The New Jersey Air National Guard’s 108th Wing unveiled its newest unit March 6 with the inauguration of the 170th Air Refueling Squadron.Guided by the Fiscal Year 2023 National...

U.S. Air Force pilots and boom operators with the 141st Air Refueling Squadron, 108th Wing, New Jersey Air National Guard, in front of a KC-46A Pegasus at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, Oct. 3, 2023. Left to right: pilot 1st Lt. Ashwin Deshpande; boom operators Staff Sgt. Nicole Stephenson and Tech. Sgt. Patrick Tracy; pilot Maj. Scott Mixdorf; boom operator Tech. Sgt. Bill Vigilante; pilots Maj. Bobby Pico, Col. Bill Liess, Lt. Col. Johann Hintz, and Capt. Brandon Johnson; boom operators Tech. Sgt. Christopher Howe, Master Sgt. Brian Kelly, and Master Sgt. Alissa Anderson.
New Jersey Air Guard Flies KC-46 Pegasus Sortie
By Mark Olsen, | Oct. 4, 2023
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. - The 108th Wing’s 141st Air Refueling Squadron officially flew its first KC-46 Pegasus local sortie Oct. 3.The mission included 16 pilots, boom operators and crew chiefs with the 141st...