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Eglin Airmen win 15th annual Medic Rodeo

  • Published
  • 27th Special Operations Wing
CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  

Eglin Air Force Base’s own 96th Medical Group once again claimed the top spot at the 15th annual Medic Rodeo held last week at Cannon.

The goal of the rodeo is to provide several days of challenging training scenarios intended to give Air Force medics tactical combat casualty care training.

Image of Airmen posing for a photo.

Members of the 96th Medical Group, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, pose for a photo at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico, August 15, 2024. The 96th MDG claimed the top spot at the 15th annual Medic Rodeo held last week at Cannon Air Force Base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Mateo Parra)
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Objectives at hand were directly relevant to the Air Force-wide MEDIC-X strategic initiative that drives proficiency in 52 skills for every Air Force medic - including those not directly involved in patient care. These skills are especially critical to ensure the Air Force’s readiness for the next fight.

“You can tell what we are doing with our TCCC is paying dividends,” said Col. Melissa Dooley, Air Force Special Operations Command Surgeon General. “That inspires confidence when I think about the future fight and great power competition.”

Eglin’s team along with others were tested in a variety of scenarios and missions, from car accidents to choking incidents. They practiced medical skills on simulated burn patients, traumatic brain injuries, and amputations.

Deployed scenarios were segmented into care under fire, tactical field care and prolonged field care.

Once the competition was over, one final challenge was thrown at the medics - a chaotic mass casualty exercise intended to see the various teams work together to save lives. The exercise took place in a dark hangar with nearly 50 casualties to assess, treat, and save.

At the end of the event, 96th MDG claimed victory. This isn’t the first time Eglin’s team won the competition. Eglin medics claimed the prize two years in a row in 2016 and 2017.

The 96th MDG team is:

  • 2nd Lt. Deven Meyers
  • Senior Airman Abram Craven
  • Staff Sgt. Brendan Comer
  • Airman 1st Class Jonah Kincaid
  • Airman 1st Class Desmon Redmond