Keesler medics complete exercise

Published Sept. 7, 2011
By Steve Pivnick
81st Medical Group Public Affairs

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Ninety-two Keesler medics returned Aug. 24 from a week-long exercise at Camp Atterbury, Ind. They, along with three medics from Sheppard AFB, Texas, provided hospital care for Vibrant Force 12, a defense chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and enhanced conventional weapons response force exercise, referred to as a DCRF exercise for short.

Col. (Dr.) Nicholas Miniotis, 81st Dental Squadron commander, who led the Keesler contingent, said, "The team integrated with an Army forward surgical team, area support medical company, mobile blood company and preventive medicine company at a forward operating base on Camp Atterbury. The 81st EMEDS (expeditionary medical support) was part of Task-Force Med which was comprised of multiple units operating over the southern half of the state of Indiana with more than 700 medics.

He continued, "The task force coordinated relief efforts with Task Force Aviation and Task Force Ops under Joint Task Force Civil Support. Within three hours of entering the joint operating area, the Keesler advanced echelon/mobile forward surgical team, using mobile surgical packs, provided surgical support from a building of opportunity.

"EMEDS personnel were responsible for erecting a 10-tent field hospital, shipped from Port San Antonio (formerly Kelly AFB, Texas), to provide real-world and exercise services. The emergency room and operating room were operational within six hours and the complete hospital was operational at 30 hours. Services provided were the same as you would find in a small community hospital to include an intensive care unit and 25 hospital beds. Ancillary services included radiology, pharmacy and laboratory. The EMEDS also provided flight medicine, public health, bioenvironmental engineering and dental services. Keesler medics treated more than 180 patients, both real and exercise."

Dr. Miniotis added, "A landing zone capable of handling Blackhawk and Chinook helicopters was established close to the EMEDS. Army medics were responsible for ground transportation using field ambulances."

The colonel noted the JTF-CS and Army North Command commanders as well as the Air Force surgeon general recognized the team for its efforts. In addition, by completing the exercise, the 81st Medical Group team is certified for the DCRF mission and is on call until October.