Inaugural MASF exercise tests joint-force aeromedical evacuation

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- 374th Medical Group Airmen transport a simulated victim to a UH-1N Iroquois during a joint Army and Air Force medical exercise at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Aug. 28, 2012. In a span of 7 hours, 374 MDG Airmen transferred simulated patients to and from the Mobile Aeromedical Staging Facility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Krystal M. Garrett)

Inaugural MASF exercise tests joint-force aeromedical evacuation

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Airmen from the 374th Medical Group transport simulated patients to a UH-1N Iroquois during a joint Army and Air Force medical exercise at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Aug. 28, 2012. The 374 MDG set up a Mobile Aeromedical Staging Facility to care for patients in response to a simulated natural disaster. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Krystal M. Garrett)

Inaugural MASF exercise tests joint-force aeromedical evacuation

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Master Sgt. Marsha Carll, 374th Medical Group family care unit NCO in charge, reviews a supply list during a joint Army and Air Force medical exercise at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Aug. 18, 2012. Carll double-checks the lists to ensure supplies and equipment are available to complete the mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Krystal M. Garrett)

Inaugural MASF exercise tests joint-force aeromedical evacuation

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- A member of the 325th Combat Support Hospital moulage team applies makeup to a simulated patient during a joint Army and Air Force medical exercise at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Aug. 28, 2012. This exercise allowed the Air Force and Army to practice their capability to support the medical needs of a large-scale natural disaster response. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Krystal M. Garrett)

Inaugural MASF exercise tests joint-force aeromedical evacuation

Published Sept. 5, 2012
By Senior Airman Andrea Salazar
374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Airmen and Soldiers participated in an inaugural Mobile Aeromedical Staging Facility exercise at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Aug. 28.

During the exercise, the 374th Medical Group, 374th Logistics Readiness Squadron and the 459th Airlift Squadron, teamed up with the Army Combat Support Hospital at Sagami Depot, Japan, to support a simulated large-scale natural disaster.

"Working with our sister branch in a collaborative goal in case of natural disasters within our host nation was beneficial for everyone," said Staff Sgt. Don Flores, 374th MDG self-aid and buddy care advisor and triage team member. "Three years ago was the last time we set up a MASF exercise and from here on it will be [held] annually."

The exercise gave Yokota's medical, aircrew and logistics Airmen an opportunity to test their joint-force capabilities, help them become familiar with setting up medical equipment and practice procedures for tactical aeromedical evacuation.

Maj. Renee Daye, 374 MDG health care integrator, stressed how these exercises support joint operations to be prepared for a full spectrum of joint operations anytime, anywhere. Daye and her team managed and transported simulated critically injured patients to the Army facility while receiving others simulated patients from the CSH requiring aeromedical evacuation.

Both Airmen and Soldiers demonstrated the ability to rapidly provide support and equipment in emergency medical operations.

With airlift support provided by the 459th Airlift Squadron and the 374th LRS supporting the ground evacuation, the exercise was considered a success by the 374th MDG.

According to Lt. Col. James Poel, 374 Aeromedical Squadron commander, this was the first time in 12 years the 374thAirlift Wing has performed a medical exercise with an Army CSH.

"Our Army personnel were great and cooperative," he said. "We were all able to adapt when needed, and overall I think we worked very well as a team," said Poel. "I'm looking forward to future training endeavors with our joint forces at accomplishing our mission goals."