WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- Airmen from the 445th Aerospace Medicine Squadron participated in a team building and training exercise June 6, 2018 at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Members practiced stretcher maneuvers, weapons handling, patient transportation and battlefield triage while experiencing simulated indirect fire.
The squadron created the event to build trust among its Airmen and allow them to prepare for future training exercises.
AMDS handles medical readiness and provision of care for the wing, but their mission expands constantly and increases in scope significantly when they are deployed.
The team building exercise seemed to focus the efforts of instructors and participants on the future challenges their fellow Airmen might face and help prepare them to tackle those challenges head on.
“This event is for comradery and to bring us together to improve our skills,” said Lt. Col. Janene M. Luff, 445th AMDS chief nurse. “We need to be ready to expand our base of knowledge in the event of a deployment situation, and this exercise allows us to accomplish that goal while building teamwork. With this team building event, we are focusing on safety while making sure that we maximize our effectiveness.”
During the exercise, Airmen practiced skills required in daily operations at the squadron while also acquiring or enhancing skills that may be needed throughout their Air Force careers.
Airmen from the 445th Security Forces Squadron brought small arms to the event and gave courses on weapons safety and handling. AMDS was then tested on their knowledge with hands-on practical application. This portion of the training highlighted the willingness of the two squadrons working together and of the AMDS Airmen to step outside of the box.
“We went over several aspects of handling our weapons including safety, functions checks and disassembly/assembly,” said Staff Sgt. Jeremy D. Whitlow, a combat arms instructor with the 445th SFS. “It went very well. It was a unique opportunity for a lot of the Airmen and they paid a lot of attention to the information we provided. They had fun too. There were a lot of smiles among the participants.”
Global environments change rapidly, and adaptability is key to maintaining a successful strategic force. The individual squadrons around the 445th regularly train to work together effectively, and the 445th AMDS team building exercise was an excellent example of how our wing stays fit to fight.
“Events like these really show that all the parts of the training we do regularly come together out in the field,” said Staff Sgt. Christian D. Terrill, 445th AMDS medical standards manager. “It helps us realize how effective we are as a squadron and as a team.”