SIOUX CITY, Iowa - Members of the 185th Air Refueling Wing, Iowa Air National Guard, participated in a mass casualty exercise during training the first weekend in August.
Medical, firefighter and security forces personnel with the 185th ARW trained on lifesaving techniques with role players on the airfield. The exercise centered around a simulated aircraft accident with one of the unit’s KC-135R Stratotankers and featured actors with realistic-looking injuries scattered throughout the aircraft.
Capt. Amber Franco, the medical administration officer with the 185th ARW, said the exercise enabled medical personnel to train as a critical care air transport team to meet new Air Force training requirements.
Franco said she and other unit planners were also able to coordinate training with the 185th Fire Department to practice patient egress from a KC-135 and critical patient aircraft loading with a cargo K-Loader.
The training also tested Airmen on setting up an Emergency Operations Center and enabled planners to brainstorm possible problems associated with an aircraft accident.
“The Med Group working together in a mass casualty exercise allows us to be more dynamic in our roles,” said Franco.