"Dragon Medics" support Columbus open house Published March 31, 2014 By Steve Pivnick 81st Medical Group Public Affairs KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Keesler Medical Center critical care teams are slated to join their counterparts from the Mississippi Air National Guard as well as Guard and Air Force Reserve aircrews to demonstrate the partnership of Air Force units from Mississippi and the surrounding area during the April 5-6 Columbus Air Force Base, Miss., open house. In addition, the University of Mississippi Medical Center at Jackson is scheduled to display the Mobile Emergency Treatment and Training System, their new mobile hospital. This advanced capability could be used to provide medical care for Mississippians after a significant natural disaster. Members from Keesler Medical Center's critical care transport teams (flying intensive care units that can fly aboard fixed wing aircraft or helicopters), will join ANG aeromedical evacuation teams from the Mississippi ANG's 172nd Airlift Wing in Jackson. Together they will demonstrate their skills in caring for wounded warriors currently being flown from combat operations in the Middle East to treatment centers in Germany and the U.S. These capabilities could augment civilian medical capabilities, such as the Medical Center's Mobile Hospital should the need arise during a natural disaster or other emergency. Keesler Medical Center is one of the Air Force's major medical training hospitals and largest medical deployment platforms. Keesler medical team members include critical care nurses Lt. Col. Heidi Stewart and Capt. Keren Stimeling, 81st Inpatient Operations Squadron and Capt. Cade Reedy, 81st Medical Operations Squadron; and cardiopulmonary technicians Tech. Sgts. Jonita Williams and Ormundu Coleman, 81st MDOS, as well as certified registered nurse anesthetists Maj. Kevin Webb and Capt. Laura Nelson, from the 81st Surgical Operations Squadron. During the open house, the joint medical teams will exhibit aeromedical platforms provided by C-130J Hercules, C-17 Globemaster III, KC-135 Stratotanker and HH-60 Blackhawk aircraft to showcase this airpower core competency. "As the new commander, I'm greatly impressed with the cooperation that has been developed among our active, Reserve and Guard medical and line partners," said Col. (Dr.) Thomas Harrell 81st Medical Group and Keesler Medical Center commander commented., "I look forward to future opportunities to demonstrate our joint capabilities in the Magnolia State." The Columbus open house is headlined by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, who perform precision aerial maneuvers demonstrating the capabilities of Air Force high performance aircraft to people throughout the world. Columbus was one of 14 active-duty Air Force bases selected to host the Thunderbirds.