An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
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 | Nov. 15, 2024

Nebraska Air Guard CERFP Participates in Joint Exercise

By Airman 1st Class Jeremiah Johnson, 155th Air Refueling Wing, Nebraska Air National Guard

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. - The 155th Air Refueling Wing’s Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Enhanced Response Force Package Detachment-1 participated in a full-scale exercise conducted by the National Disaster Medical System. 

The Nov. 13 exercise brought together local, state and federal agencies to simulate a large-scale emergency response, highlighting the collaboration needed during domestic crises.

The exercise enabled Airmen with the 155th CERFP Detachment-1 and the 55th Medical Group, local first responders and medical professionals to practice coordination and response strategies. Over 30 civilian entities, including hospitals and county and state emergency management agencies, tested their capabilities in managing mass casualty events.

“Today’s event is crucial to building effective partnerships with our local and federal community partners,” said Lt. Col. Angela Ling, CERFP Detachment-1 commander. “If a large-scale disaster were to occur, the NDMS and the VA (Veterans Affairs) would play a critical role in coordinating patient care, with Omaha serving as one of the primary sites for patient reception. The presence of our unit enhances our ability to provide rapid, coordinated medical support.”

Ling said the exercise showcased the capabilities of the 155th ARW’s CERFP, which can quickly deploy personnel and medical equipment to assist in homeland disaster operations. By integrating with civilian agencies, the unit ensures that its personnel are familiar with local protocols and can seamlessly respond when called upon.

“The goal during my command has been to integrate our personnel into the community so that when a disaster strikes, we are seen as a reliable partner,” said Ling. “We want to be the partner that people reach for or request when disaster strikes. That collaboration not only strengthens our community relationships but also enhances retention and ensures we are prepared for any emergency.”

Capt. Amye Dusatko, a nurse with the 155th CERFP, said the exercise was an invaluable learning experience for military and civilian personnel. As a nurse at the VA in her civilian role, Dusatko noted the benefits of seeing both sides of the operation.

“It’s important for us to understand the different capabilities, communication styles and even familiarity with inpatient forms between civilian and military responders,” said Dusatko. “By working together, we can bridge gaps in terminology and procedures, which ensures we can operate effectively when a real emergency occurs.”

The exercise also highlighted the capabilities of the military medical teams. Dusatko noted that many of the civilian partners, including VA staff, were surprised by the advanced medical equipment available through the CERFP, such as ventilators and field trauma care systems, which can stabilize patients in the field before transferring them to more extensive medical facilities.

“One of the biggest takeaways for the VA team was seeing our full emergency room setup in the tent,” said Dusatko. “They were surprised by our capacity in the field to stabilize patients and hold them long enough to get them to more specialized care.”

Exercise participants practiced triaging patients, coordinating evacuations and communicating effectively across organizations. 

This year’s exercise served as a powerful reminder of the vital role that community partnerships play in disaster preparedness and response.
 

 

 

Related Articles
Jim Kunkle, World War II U.S. Army Air Corps veteran, at the Central Coast AirFest at the Santa Maria Airport in Santa Maria, California, Sept. 21, 2024. The 155th Air Refueling Wing's KC-135 has a heritage paint scheme honoring Kunkle, who received the Distinguished Service Cross for engaging 20 German aircraft and downing two of them.
Nebraska Air Guard Honors WWII Pilot with Heritage Jet
By Staff Sgt. Alexander Schriner, | Oct. 17, 2024
SANTA MARIA, Calif. - The Nebraska Air National Guard’s 155th Air Refueling Wing brought history to life last month at the Central Coast AirFest, unveiling a KC-135R Stratotanker in a special heritage paint scheme. The...

Senior Airman Ebrima Minteh, structural journeyman with the 155th Civil Engineer Squadron, stains a shadowbox display case Feb. 2, 2024, at the National Guard air base in Lincoln, Nebraska. Minteh, originally from The Gambia, joined the Nebraska Air National Guard in 2021 after receiving his degree from the University of Nebraska Omaha and obtaining his five-year green card.
Journey of an Airman: From The Gambia to Nebraska Guard
By Senior Airman Alexander Schriner, | Feb. 9, 2024
LINCOLN, Neb. - During his upbringing in Banjul, Gambia, Ebrima Minteh balanced his time between school and assisting his family at the nearby market. He played soccer with friends and aided fishermen, hoping to receive some...

A KC-135R Stratotanker assigned to the 155th Air Refueling Wing along with an F-16 from the 114th Fighter Wing fly over over Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska, Aug. 30, 2023, for a University of Nebraska volleyball game. The flyover celebrated Volleyball Day in Nebraska, where 92,003 fans became the largest crowd in the world to witness a women’s sporting event.
National Guard Airmen Participate in World Record Event
By Staff Sgt. Lisa Crawford, | Sept. 26, 2023
LINCOLN, Neb. – A KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the Nebraska National Guard’s 155th Air Refueling Wing and three F-16 Fighting Falcons from the South Dakota National Guard’s 114th Fighter Wing flew over Memorial Stadium for...