Yokota-based Ground Surgical Team demonstrates capabilities at Iruma AB Published April 2, 2026 By Yasuo Osakabe 374th Airlift Wing public affairs IRUMA AIR BASE, Japan -- Airmen from the 374th Medical Group demonstrated the capabilities of their Ground Surgical Team to medical personnel from the Japan Air Self-Defense Force during a medical knowledge exchange at Iruma Air Base, Japan, Mar. 13. The event provided an opportunity for U.S. and Japanese military medical professionals to exchange knowledge and observe expeditionary surgical capabilities designed for austere and forward environments. The Ground Surgical Team, or GST, is a six-member mobile medical unit that delivers damage control surgery and stabilizes critically injured patients before evacuation to higher levels of care. “During the demonstration we improvised a ‘man-down’ scenario, which is something we would do in a real situation if a team member were unable to perform their role,” said Maj. Heather Barber, 374th Surgical Operations Squadron medical director of surgical services. Yokota-based Ground Surgical Team demonstrates capabilities at Iruma AB U.S. Air Force Maj. Heather Barber, 374th Surgical Operations Squadron medical director of surgical services, explains the role of the Ground Surgical Team to Japan Self-Defense Force medical personnel after a demonstration at Iruma Air Base, Japan, March 13, 2026. The demonstration highlighted the team’s ability to deliver life-saving care in austere and forward environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Yasuo Osakabe) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res SLIDESHOW | images | Yokota-based Ground Surgical Team demonstrates capabilities at Iruma AB Yokota-based Ground Surgical Team demonstrates capabilities at Iruma AB Members of the U.S. Air Force Ground Surgical Team assigned to the 374th Medical Group simulate surgical procedures during a demonstration at Iruma Air Base, Japan, March 13, 2026. The demonstration highlighted the team’s ability to deliver life-saving care in austere and forward environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Yasuo Osakabe) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res SLIDESHOW | images | Yokota-based Ground Surgical Team demonstrates capabilities at Iruma AB Yokota-based Ground Surgical Team demonstrates capabilities at Iruma AB From left: U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Bryan Sands, 374th Surgical Operations Squadron surgical technologist; Maj. Heather Barber, 374th Surgical Operations Squadron medical director of surgical services; and Tech. Sgt. Gabriel Luigi Angelo Yumol, 374th Surgical Operations Squadron surgical technologist, transfer a simulated casualty to a surgical bed during a Ground Surgical Team demonstration at Iruma Air Base, Japan, March 13, 2026. The demonstration highlighted the team’s ability to deliver life-saving care in austere and forward environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Yasuo Osakabe) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res SLIDESHOW | images | Yokota-based Ground Surgical Team demonstrates capabilities at Iruma AB Yokota-based Ground Surgical Team demonstrates capabilities at Iruma AB U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Gabriel Luigi Angelo Yumol, 374th Surgical Operations Squadron surgical technologist, prepares surgical equipment during a Ground Surgical Team demonstration at Iruma Air Base, Japan, March 13, 2026. The demonstration highlighted the team’s ability to deliver life-saving care in austere and forward environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Yasuo Osakabe) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res SLIDESHOW | images | Yokota-based Ground Surgical Team demonstrates capabilities at Iruma AB Yokota-based Ground Surgical Team demonstrates capabilities at Iruma AB From left, U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Bryan Sands, 374th Surgical Operations Squadron surgical technologist, hands a sterile surgical drape to Tech. Sgt. Gabriel Luigi Angelo Yumollogist, during a Ground Surgical Team demonstration at Iruma Air Base, Japan, March 13, 2026. The exercise highlighted the team’s ability to deliver life-saving care in austere and forward environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Yasuo Osakabe) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res SLIDESHOW | images | Yokota-based Ground Surgical Team demonstrates capabilities at Iruma AB Yokota-based Ground Surgical Team demonstrates capabilities at Iruma AB Members of the U.S. Air Force Ground Surgical Team assigned to the 374th Medical Group perform surgical procedures during a GST demonstration at Iruma Air Base, Japan, March 13, 2026. The exercise highlighted the team’s ability to deliver life-saving care in austere and forward environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Yasuo Osakabe) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res SLIDESHOW | images | Yokota-based Ground Surgical Team demonstrates capabilities at Iruma AB Yokota-based Ground Surgical Team demonstrates capabilities at Iruma AB U.S. Air Force Maj. Jeremy Swanson, 374th Surgical Operations Squadron nurse anesthetist, performs combat casualty care on a simulated casualty during a Ground Surgical Team demonstration at Iruma Air Base, Japan, March 13, 2026. The scenario demonstrated how the team rapidly assesses and stabilizes critically injured patients before surgical intervention. (U.S. Air Force photo by Yasuo Osakabe) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res SLIDESHOW | images | Yokota-based Ground Surgical Team demonstrates capabilities at Iruma AB Yokota-based Ground Surgical Team demonstrates capabilities at Iruma AB From left, U.S. Air Force Maj. Jeremy Swanson and Lt. Col. Jessica Linton, both with the 374th Surgical Operations Squadron nurse anesthetists, perform triage on a simulated casualty during a Ground Surgical Team demonstration at Iruma Air Base, Japan, March 13, 2026. The scenario demonstrated how the team rapidly assesses and stabilizes critically injured patients before surgical intervention. (U.S. Air Force photo by Yasuo Osakabe) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res SLIDESHOW | images | Yokota-based Ground Surgical Team demonstrates capabilities at Iruma AB Yokota-based Ground Surgical Team demonstrates capabilities at Iruma AB Members of the U.S. Air Force Ground Surgical Team assigned to the 374th Medical Group perform a simulated casualty care scenario during a Ground Surgical Team demonstration at Iruma Air Base, Japan, March 13, 2026. The GST is a six-member mobile medical unit capable of delivering life-saving surgical care near the point of injury before patients are evacuated to higher levels of care. (U.S. Air Force photo by Yasuo Osakabe) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res SLIDESHOW | images | Yokota-based Ground Surgical Team demonstrates capabilities at Iruma AB Yokota-based Ground Surgical Team demonstrates capabilities at Iruma AB A U.S. Air Force Ground Surgical Team assigned to the 374th Medical Group greet Japan Air Self-Defense Force medical personnel before a GST demonstration at Iruma Air Base, Japan, March 13, 2026. The engagement supported information sharing and strengthened cooperation between U.S. and Japanese military medical professionals. (U.S. Air Force photo by Yasuo Osakabe) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res SLIDESHOW | images | Yokota-based Ground Surgical Team demonstrates capabilities at Iruma AB “In austere environments, every team member has to be flexible,” Barber said. “We train to adapt quickly so we can continue providing life-saving care even when conditions are challenging.” The GST typically consists of a surgeon, anesthesia provider, emergency physician, surgical technician, intensive care nurse and administrative specialist. Team members are cross-trained to operate effectively in resource-constrained environments. During the engagement, Airmen briefed participants on the team’s mission and equipment before conducting a short setup and simulated casualty care demonstration. More than 100 participants attended the event, including JSDF medical personnel and representatives from partner organizations. The exchange also supported the Japan Air Self-Defense Force’s ongoing efforts to develop and establish its own Ground Surgical Team capability in the future. “This demonstration is just the beginning,” Barber said. “As our partners continue developing their own surgical capabilities, we hope to continue sharing lessons learned and working together to improve medical readiness.”