Exercise integrates Army, Air Force medical teams

  • Published
  • By Jeffrey S. Williams
  • Golden Medic - Air Force Public Affairs
AUGUSTA, GA --  Leaders of the Army/Air Force joint exercise 'Golden Medic 2007' stressed the importance of integration between the two services' medical units in preparation for today's kickoff at the Augusta Regional Airport, Georgia.

"Golden Medic 2007 is an extraordinary opportunity for all services - active, guard and reserve, in addition to our coalition partners - to participate and work together shoulder-to-shoulder ensuring that the very latest in medical and expeditionary skills are provided to our warriors," said Air Force Col. Mike Dankosky, Air Force Reserve Command's chief of aeromedical evacuation and exercise director.

"What we do here enhances the skills and capabilities of the Soldiers and Airmen who participate," Colonel Dankosky said. "It's not an inspection, and it's not live-fire. The exercise is important because it allows those in the training mode to develop their capabilities at their own pace before they get into combat."

Before the estimated 3,000 Army and 500 Air Force participants run through the exercise scenarios, they undergo critical medical skills training in areas that include casualty movement, static training for KC-135, C-17, C-130 and helicopter airframes, joint casualty movement, vehicle loading, mortuary affairs and equipment training.

"Golden Medic seamlessly integrates the air and ground components in transporting patients expeditiously and efficiently to appropriate medical facilities for treatment," said Air Force Col. Janet Moore-Harbert, 706th Provisional Wing commander. "Golden Medic provides all of us with a unique opportunity to work in a joint-service environment, while simulating operational conditions. Training opportunities like this have enabled us to steadily improve our patient transport system, currently at approximately 5,000 to 6,000 patients every month."

Army Col. James Brosnan, 3rd Medical Command's deputy chief of staff for personnel, believes synchronization of joint services procedures will help not only at home but in the field during current real world operations, saving lives in the process.

"Our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines have received the finest medical care, most notably since 2001 and the Global War on Terrorism. We owe that to the American people," Colonel Brosnan said. "This is a practical exercise that gets our systems together. It's designed to make sure that the systems, organizations and units work well. Here we can synchronize with the Air Force to make sure we follow the right procedures. Golden Medic serves to give people that experience, not just an introduction to it."

Golden Medic, the Army Reserve's largest annual medical exercise, is now in its second decade. Air Force involvement started primarily as airlift capability, and has evolved into much more, said Colonel Dankosky.

"We started with 25 Air Force members, and now we've grown to over 500 participants and continue to grow more each and every year," said Colonel Dankosky. "The immediate and direct recipient of all of this training will be the wounded warriors. It isn't limited to those that are actual battle casualties, but also to those that comprise non-battle patients that move through the expeditionary medical systems and to the global joint patient movement process."

The exercise will run through June 19, concluding with a National Disaster Medical System Response exercise in conjunction with local civilian emergency service providers.