Exercise tests 375th Medical Group readiness for public health emergencies Published Sept. 3, 2025 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- The 375th Air Mobility Wing Inspector General office recently collaborated with A6A Associates to conduct a full-scale public health emergency exercise at Scott Air Force Base, Ill. A6A Associates, a consulting and training firm specializing in emergency management and healthcare preparedness, led the event as part of their Project SOAR (Sustainment Operations for AFMS Response) initiative to evaluate and strengthen Air Force Medical Service readiness during public health emergencies. “Exercises like this are vital,” said Lt. Col. Heather Fenzl, 375th Medical Support Squadron pharmacy flight commander. “They give our Airmen the chance to train in realistic, high-pressure situations, which is exactly what we would face in a real public health emergency.” Exercise tests 375th Medical Group readiness for public health emergencies Simulated patients process through the prophylaxis Point of Dispensing (POD) during a public health emergency exercise on Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, Aug 14, 2025. Throughout the exercise, Medical Group Airmen practiced dispensing countermeasures, managing patient flow, and operating the medical processing point to meet critical patient care objectives under pressure. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Violette Hosack) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res Exercise tests 375th Medical Group readiness for public health emergencies Airman 1st Class Delaynie Dearmond, 375th Healthcare Operations Squadron aerospace medical technician, assesses a patient during a public health emergency exercise on Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, Aug 14, 2025. The exercise tested the 375th Medical Group’s ability to rapidly establish and operate a mass prophylaxis Point of Dispensing (POD) after a simulated anthrax release on the installation that produced multiple positive cases and hundreds of potential exposures. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Violette Hosack) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res In this instance, the scenario tested the 375th Medical Group’s ability to rapidly establish and operate a mass prophylaxis Point of Dispensing in response to a simulated hazardous biological agent. The biological agent was “released” in an installation facility, resulting in multiple simulated positive cases and hundreds more considered exposed. Dozens of on- and off-base agencies and mission partners joined in to make the exercise as realistic as possible. “This exercise really highlighted the importance of an integrated installation response,” said Col. Chrystal Henderson, 375th Medical Group commander. “The level of wing involvement exceeded my expectations and greatly impressed the SOAR team as an example to be modeled for their future iterations.” Exercise tests 375th Medical Group readiness for public health emergencies Senior Airman Briana Rubio, 375th Medical Support Squadron pharmacy technician, sorts medication during a public health emergency exercise on Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, Aug 14, 2025. The exercise tested the 375th Medical Group’s ability to rapidly establish and operate a mass prophylaxis Point of Dispensing (POD) after a simulated anthrax release on the installation that produced multiple positive cases and hundreds of potential exposures. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Violette Hosack) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res Exercise tests 375th Medical Group readiness for public health emergencies U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Joshua Washington, 375th Healthcare Operations Squadron allergy and immunization technician, directs a simulated patient during a public health emergency exercise on Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, Aug 14, 2025. During the exercise, the high-stakes environment highlighted both strengths and areas for improvement, particularly in patient throughput and resource distribution. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Violette Hosack) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res Throughout the exercise, medical group Airmen practiced dispensing countermeasures, managing patient flow, and operating both the medical processing point and POD to meet critical patient care objectives under pressure. The high-stakes environment highlighted both strengths and areas for improvement, including refining patient throughput and resource distribution strategies. “It really goes to show what each and every one of us brings to the fight. Every role is critical in an emergency scenario like this, and we all need to be ready,” said Lt. Col. Heather Fenzl, 375th Medical Support Squadron pharmacy flight commander. When asked about key takeaways, Henderson emphasized the broader value of the exercise. “It’s events like this that help us to identify capability gaps and areas of improvement, so we are prepared for future public health emergencies,” concluded Henderson. “The medics performed exceptionally well and with precision while displaying their expertise. “I am extremely proud of my 375th MDG medics and our teammates through the wing for a very successful and well-executed training event.”