‘Ultimate Caduceus’ disaster drill preparations

Team leaders Tech. Sgt. Stephen Thackery, 81st Medical Operations Squadron, right foreground, and Master Sgt. Mauricio DeFreitas, 81st Aerospace Medicine Squadron, right background, assist litter-bearers Airmen 1st Class Brent Weber, 81st MDOS, left foreground, and Ana Elena Aguilar, 81st Dental Squadron, secure “patients” during the 81st Medical Group’s April 14 warrior training. Almost 80 medics from a variety of specialties trained to load and unload litter patients on a 403rd Wing C-130J Hercules used by the 815th and 345th Airlift Squadrons. The session also included moving patients on and off an ambulance and a bus. Both Sergeants DeFreitas and Thackery are former aeromedical evacuation trainers. The practice was conducted to prepare for the national-level “Ultimate Caduceus 2011” disaster exercise to be conducted May 16-20. Keesler and area hospitals will be heavily involved May 18. (U.S. Air Force photo by Steve Pivnick)