CAMP MURRAY, Wash. — The 194th Wing looked more like a movie set on Tuesday morning as Airmen arrived before sunrise to start makeup applications in preparation for the Washington National Guard Cascadia Rising exercise, a test of Washington state’s earthquake response plan.
Airmen from the 194th Wing partnered with local makeup artists from “Trauma by Design” in Bonney Lake to practice moulage; the art of applying mock injuries for the purpose of training emergency response teams, and other medical and military personnel. It is used to help provide a more realistic appearance to the various injuries that may occur during an earthquake. Every imaginable injury from cuts on arms and legs to open head wounds can be recreated.
The exercise preparation was an opportunity for Airmen to gain valuable training and expertise on the moulage process from the local makeup artists. “We not only learned from them how to do moulage, but they are also helping us build our moulage kit. It is a work in progress. We are just beginning,” said Staff Sgt. Trisha Rittenhouse, a medical technician from the 194th Medical Group.
Once the simulated injuries were finished, and the last touches of fake blood were added, the actors moved into position. The actors were dispersed around the working areas of Camp Murray, so they would be found by airmen evacuating their building after the first simulated earthquake. “I was told to go with the flow, act hurt, and let them respond however they do; don’t give them any hints whatsoever,” said Senior Airman Elliot Hoeks of the 194th Intelligence Squadron.
In addition to the initial simulated earthquake, casualty actors will be used in support of training throughout the four-day Cascadia Rising exercise, including simulated after-shocks, a fuel explosion, and a mass casualty bus accident.