EMEDS

Minnesota Air National Guard 133rd Medical Group and Rhode Island Air National Guard 143rd Medical Group members execute patient care on a high fidelity mannequin, allowing medical student to use all EMEDS equipment to enhance training during exercise Patriot 2013 in Volk Field, Wis. Patriot 2013 was a joint-service and multi-state agency exercise conducted from July 13 to 20 involving more than 2,000 National Guard personnel from 26 states integrated with local and state emergency response agencies including members of the Detachment 1, 823 RED HORSE, Silver Flag Exercise Training Site.( Courtesy photo by Capt. Brett Mazey)

EMEDS

Members of the Minnesota Air National Guard 133rd Medical Group and Rhode Island ANG 143rd Medical Group practice loading patients on to a Blackhawk UH60 during exercise Patriot 2013 in Volk Field, Wis. Patriot 2013 was a joint-service and multi-state agency exercise conducted from July 13 to 20 involving more than 2,000 National Guard personnel from 26 states integrated with local and state emergency response agencies including members of the Detachment 1, 823 RED HORSE, Silver Flag Exercise Training Site.( Courtesy photo by Capt. Brett Mazey)

RED HORSE provides vital medical training to Guard

Published July 23, 2013
By Capt. Brett Mazey
Det. 1, 823 RED HORSE

TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Detachment 1, 823rd RED HORSE, Silver Flag Exercise Training Site members conducted a mobile Expeditionary Medical Support Course during exercise Patriot 2013 in Volk Field, Wis.

Patriot 2013 was a joint-service and multi-state agency exercise conducted from July 13 to 20 involving more than 2,000 National Guard personnel from 26 states integrated with local and state emergency response agencies. Patriot is a domestic operation where military Guard personnel take on a support role, which requires a different mindset then most military members are familiar with. The intent was to train Guard Soldiers and Airmen to support civil agencies with requested equipment and personnel that support a specified civil response.

The goal of the exercise was to identify the strength and weaknesses of each agency's current response plans. This year's exercise disaster consisted of tornadoes that devastated two Wisconsin cities while terrorist organizations launched cyber-radiological and conventional based attacks.

The eight-member EMEDS instructor team conducted the EMEDS course for 22 Minnesota and Rhode Island Air National Guard medical personnel alongside 30 Wisconsin Disaster Medical Assistance Team members using EMEDS tents, equipment and supplies. The course is a mandatory pre-deployment requirement for all Air Force medical personnel. Prior to the start of the exercise, 22 Airmen covered didactic instruction and hands-on training required for formal course credit. The training allowed the Wisconsin Medical Assistance Team the opportunity to familiarize themselves with military resources that they will be expected to use during a real world domestic operation response.

The entire EMEDS cadre was recognized for their exceptional performance by Maj Gen. Joseph Martin, assistant to the U.S. Air Force Surgeon General, stating the EMEDS brief and walk-through was a highlight of the exercise visit.