Airmen from the 97th Medical Group partnered with Airmen here from Sheppard and Vance Air Force Bases for a readiness exercise at Clinton Sherman Airfield Park, Oklahoma, Oct. 26, 2023.

The Caduceus Spear exercise was focused on MEDIC-X and Tactical Combat Casualty Care concepts, which multiple teams of Airmen were expected to perform during the scenario.

The teams were comprised of Airmen from different squadrons with skill sets varying from casualty care to rudimentary knowledge, providing an opportunity for experienced members to train others within a controlled environment.

Before the exercise began, the moulage crew aimed to make the scene as realistic as possible. The scenario was set around a rocket striking seven people at a smoke pit. In this type of scenario, the team would have to focus on treating multiple wounds associated with a rocket blast.

Four of the seven patients were real people with fake wounds filled with shrapnel and blood, while three mannequin casualties were missing limbs. Having actors present provided an opportunity for the teams to care for patients experiencing trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder in real time.

“Everyone out here is not clinical,” said Col. Daniel Roberts, 97th Medical Group commander. “It’s an opportunity for us to take a myriad of different medics, put them in a somewhat austere environment and expect them to keep as many of the patients alive as possible.”

Through MEDIC-X, all Airmen within medical fields, regardless of their specific roles, will be required to demonstrate competency in 52 essential skills. The aim of this training is to ensure medical personnel are fully prepared for future combat situations.

“We have a whole new generation of medics out there who were not old enough to fight in Iraq and Afghanistan,” said Lt. Col. Shanti Jones, 97th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron commander. “This training is about preparing multi-capable Airmen and incorporating tactical combat casualty care and MEDIC-X.”