17th MDG medics compete in 2022 Medic Rodeo

Published Aug. 25, 2022
By Airman 1st Class Zachary Heimbuch
17 Training Wing Public Affairs

CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- This year, the 27th Special Operations Wing hosted its 13th annual Medic Rodeo, an Air Force-wide competition that incorporates teams from across the Air Force to participate in 30 challenges that test the strength and knowledge of each team at Cannon Air Force Base and Melrose Air Force Range in New Mexico.

“We’re honing our skills as medics,” said 1st Lt. Robert Collier, 17th Healthcare Operations Squadron medical service corps member, “We’re participating in combat and pre-hospital scenarios. These scenarios are developing our skills to ensure we can operate in an environment with limited resources.”

For the first time since the rodeo was introduced, the four-man medic teams were made up of two emergency medical technicians, one medical officer and one enlisted non-medic.

“We have two different sets of skills,” said Collier. “The medics and admin side work together to develop new skills.”

From allergic reactions to simulated improvised explosive devices, the Medic Rodeo tested each team’s ability to accurately and decisively treat a wide variety of situations they could encounter in the future.

“It’s good to get this exposure,” said Airman 1st Class Noah Rogers, 17th Healthcare Operations Squadron aerospace medical technician. “As someone who never sees much trauma, it helps to start working on communication and teamwork and experience what a deployed environment is like.”

Image of Airmen training. — 17th MDG medics compete in 2022 Medic Rodeo

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Caleb Strout, 17th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron flight medicine admin technician, supplies a simulated casualty with oxygen during a training exercise at Melrose Air Force Range, N.M. August 16, 2022. The Medic Rodeo is designed to test the skills of Air Force medical technicians in both deployed and home installation environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Zachary Heimbuch)

17th MDG medics compete in 2022 Medic Rodeo

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Noah Rogers, 17th Healthcare Operations Squadron aerospace medical technician, searches a table for medical equipment at Melrose Air Force Range, N.M. August 16, 2022. The Medic Rodeo is designed to test the skills of Air Force medical technicians in both deployed and home installation environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Zachary Heimbuch)

17th MDG medics compete in 2022 Medic Rodeo

Goodfellow’s medical team aids a simulated casualty during a training exercise at Melrose Air Force Range, N.M. August 16, 2022. The 27th Special Operation Wing Medic Rodeo 2022 tests the skills of medical professionals from across the Air Force through a series of innovative, high-pressure scenarios. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Zachary Heimbuch)

Image of an Airman training. — 17th MDG medics compete in 2022 Medic Rodeo

U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Robert Collier, 17th Healthcare Operations Squadron medical service corps, squeezes to supply a simulated patient with fluids at Melrose Air Force Range, N.M. August 16, 2022. The 27th Special Operation Wing Medic Rodeo 2022 tests the skills of medical professionals from across the Air Force through a series of innovative, high-pressure scenarios. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Zachary Heimbuch)