Chabelley Airfield, Djibouti-- -- The 776th Expeditionary Air Base Squadron conducted a medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) exercise, May 31, at Chabelley Airfield and finalized at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti.
The exercise consisted of approximately 18 patients with various simulated injuries and medics who triaged, assessed and stabilized their conditions at Chabelley Airfield so they could be transferred to a higher level of care at Camp Lemonnier whether via ground or air.
“The exercise was a joint-service international exercise,” said Major Laramie Richmond, 776th Expeditionary Air Base Squadron director of medical operations. “The exercise included the 776th EABS fire department, medical aid station along with the Task Force Iron Gray, Combined Joint Task Force- Horn of Africa, personnel recovery coordination center and the French Air Force.”
The French Air Force took the initiative to provide their aircraft in order to expedite the transfer of the simulated patients to CLDJ.
“This exercise focused on coordination and communication between our sister services, allies and mission partners in order to provide efficient and effective MEDEVAC support for joint operations here in the Horn of Africa,” said Richmond.
This was not the first joint- service/country exercise conducted for medical personnel, but it was the largest at Chabelley, according to Richmond.
“The exercise really highlighted the need for us to have effective communication and participation with all sister services and allies to provide transportation and to enable the highest level of care in a time of crisis,” said Richmond.