Nellis medics take the reins, host first Medic Rodeo

Published Jan. 14, 2026
By Robyn Stulgaitis

NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. --

Cannon blasts echoed across the desert and a helicopter hovered overhead as the cries of casualties cut through the air. This scenario was no ordinary training day; it was the inaugural Medic Rodeo at Nellis Air Force Base, a grueling race against the clock that would test the skills of the installation's medics.

While a first for Nellis, the Medic Rodeo draws on a long-standing Air Force tradition, using realistic, high-stress combat scenarios to test battlefield medical skills in a competitive setting.

SSgt Abey Lewis and TSgt Daniel Schmidt spearheaded the effort to bring the event to Nellis, drawing on their own experiences competing at Cannon AFB’s medic rodeo.

“We want to prepare our medics before they are thrown into the fire,” said Lewis. “We want to be the best fighting air force and also be able to bring our people home when they need to come home.”

U.S. Air Force Capt. Hunter Brown, a registered nurse assigned to the 99th Medical Group, prepares pain medication for patient care during the 2025 Diamondback Medic Rodeo at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, Dec. 9, 2025. The scenario centered on unexpected drone attacks that struck as teams surveyed a potential expeditionary medical support site to ensure they’re medically ready for deployment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Lauren Clevenger)

U.S. Air Force Capt. Hunter Brown, a registered nurse assigned to the 99th Medical Group, prepares pain medication for patient care during the 2025 Diamondback Medic Rodeo at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, Dec. 9, 2025. The scenario centered on unexpected drone attacks that struck as teams surveyed a potential expeditionary medical support site to ensure they’re medically ready for deployment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Lauren Clevenger)

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Robbie Wallace, a health services management journeyman assigned to the 99th Medical Group, and his team perform a tactical patient movement during the 2025 Diamondback Medic Rodeo at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, Dec. 9, 2025. Teams consisted of multiple Air Force specialties to integrate diverse medical skill sets while executing tactical combat casualty care in realistic and austere care scenarios. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Lauren Clevenger)

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Robbie Wallace, a health services management journeyman assigned to the 99th Medical Group, and his team perform a tactical patient movement during the 2025 Diamondback Medic Rodeo at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, Dec. 9, 2025. Teams consisted of multiple Air Force specialties to integrate diverse medical skill sets while executing tactical combat casualty care in realistic and austere care scenarios. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Lauren Clevenger)

U.S. Airmen, assigned to the 99th Medical Group, perform needle decompression on a patient during the 2025 Diamondback Medic Rodeo at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, Dec. 9, 2025. Medics rotated through four hours of continuous patient care, responding to live role players simulating severe trauma. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Lauren Clevenger)

U.S. Airmen, assigned to the 99th Medical Group, perform needle decompression on a patient during the 2025 Diamondback Medic Rodeo at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, Dec. 9, 2025. Medics rotated through four hours of continuous patient care, responding to live role players simulating severe trauma. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Lauren Clevenger)

The competition featured four teams of five, each composed of two clinical medics, two non-clinical medics, and a dedicated coach.

“The teams are made up of people that normally don’t work together directly,” explained Schmidt. “In these scenarios we get them working shoulder-to-shoulder. Everyone has something to bring to the table.”

The teams navigated the medical response following a simulated drone strike, progressing through three distinct phases: care under fire, tactical field care, and tactical evacuation care. Adding a powerful layer of realism to the exercise, real patient volunteers acted as casualties during the four-hour scenario. Teams met the challenges of treating battlefield injuries including inhalation burns, broken pelvises, lacerations, symptoms of shock and hemorrhagic shock, necessitating expert blood product resuscitation. Striving for the highest level of realism, the event was a base-wide effort, using assets from across the installation.

“The Fire Squadron provided access to the burn pit training area, Security Forces provided training weapons, and EOD simulated cannon blasts,” said Lewis. “We wanted to promote as much realism as possible.”

Medic Rodeo events use Tactical Combat Casualty Care guidelines to challenge technical skills, leadership, and teamwork, preparing medics for austere environments. Lewis, a certified TCCC Instructor, emphasized the importance of TCCC principles.

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Rafael Diaz, left, an aerospace medical technician and Staff Sgt. Danielle Dan, right, a health services management craftsman, both assigned to the 99th Medical Group, reassess patient care during the 2025 Diamondback Medic Rodeo at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, Dec. 9, 2025. The exercise was built to assess the medic’s readiness and ability to deliver rapid, coordinated emergency care. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Lauren Clevenger)

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Rafael Diaz, left, an aerospace medical technician and Staff Sgt. Danielle Dan, right, a health services management craftsman, both assigned to the 99th Medical Group, reassess patient care during the 2025 Diamondback Medic Rodeo at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, Dec. 9, 2025. The exercise was built to assess the medic’s readiness and ability to deliver rapid, coordinated emergency care. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Lauren Clevenger)

U.S. Airmen, assigned to the 99th Medical Group, reassess patient care during the 2025 Diamondback Medic Rodeo at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, Dec. 9, 2025. Teams were evaluated on how effectively they stabilized casualties while managing stress, limited resources and dynamic threats. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Lauren Clevenger)

U.S. Airmen, assigned to the 99th Medical Group, reassess patient care during the 2025 Diamondback Medic Rodeo at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, Dec. 9, 2025. Teams were evaluated on how effectively they stabilized casualties while managing stress, limited resources and dynamic threats. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Lauren Clevenger)

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Jaiveion Turner, left, a health services management journeyman, is evaluated by Staff Sgt. Abey Lewis, right, an aerospace medical technician, both assigned to the 99th Medical Group (MDG), on his needle decompression skills during the 2025 Diamondback Medic Rodeo at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, Dec. 9, 2025. The competition showcases the 99th MDG’s commitment to maintaining combat-ready medical teams capable of supporting deployed operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Lauren Clevenger)

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Jaiveion Turner, left, a health services management journeyman, is evaluated by Staff Sgt. Abey Lewis, right, an aerospace medical technician, both assigned to the 99th Medical Group (MDG), on his needle decompression skills during the 2025 Diamondback Medic Rodeo at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, Dec. 9, 2025. The competition showcases the 99th MDG’s commitment to maintaining combat-ready medical teams capable of supporting deployed operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Lauren Clevenger)

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Jacinda Rose, a pharmacy technician assigned to 99th Medical Group, receives feedback from a cadre during the 2025 Diamondback Medic Rodeo at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, Dec. 9, 2025. The top-performing team of the competition earned the opportunity to advance and represent the unit at the 2026 Air Force Special Operations Command Medic Rodeo. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Lauren Clevenger)

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Jacinda Rose, a pharmacy technician assigned to 99th Medical Group, receives feedback from a cadre during the 2025 Diamondback Medic Rodeo at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, Dec. 9, 2025. The top-performing team of the competition earned the opportunity to advance and represent the unit at the 2026 Air Force Special Operations Command Medic Rodeo. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Lauren Clevenger)

“TCCC has a special place in my heart,” said Lewis. “It’s all about trauma medicine. Our stateside job is clinical and keeping warfighters ready, but when downrange the focus is trauma medicine.”

For medic rodeo competitor Col. Cody Hess, Administrator, Mike O’Callaghan Military Medical Center, the event reflected a broader commitment to readiness.

“This was an incredibly value-added experience,” said Hess. “The urgency our team felt in that simulated environment is the same urgency we need to bring every day and continue to train with purpose. This drives muscle memory, strengthens teamwork, and develops the confidence to act decisively in a crisis.”

Emerging victorious in Nellis’ first medic rodeo, TSgt Brianna Gonzalez, SrA Christian Macgregor, SSgt Danielle Dan, SrA Jonathan Fuentes, and A1C Rafael Diaz will be recommended to represent Air Combat Command and compete in the 2026 Medic Rodeo.