48th MDG trains with local U.K. partners

48th Medical Group Airmen and U.K. Suffolk Lowland Search and Rescue carry a simulated trauma patient to an ambulance at a British Army training site in Thetford, England, May 19, 2019. During the exercise, personnel from the 48th MDG trained with Suffolk Lowland Search and Rescue, Suffolk Police and Suffolk Accident Rescue Service, performing on-scene, life-saving care for 15 simulated trauma patients. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Madeline Herzog)

48th MDG trains with local U.K. partners

48th Medical Group Airmen and Suffolk Lowland Search and Rescue provide aid to a woman simulates giving birth during a training exercise at a British Army training site in Thetford, England, May 19, 2019. The 48th MDG and U.K. partners participated in an exercise containing trauma patients and skills-based training to enhance individual readiness and to build on the interoperability between the two nations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Madeline Herzog)

48th MDG trains with local U.K. partners

A simulated trauma patient in a training exercise scenario lays on a stretcher at a British Army training site in Thetford, England, May 19, 2019. The 48th MDG and U.K. partners participated in an exercise containing trauma patients and skills-based training to enhance individual readiness and to build on the interoperability between the two nations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Madeline Herzog)

48th MDG trains with local U.K. partners

Airman 1st Class Creo Dooley, a 48th Medical Group technician, explains an emergency scenario to local emergency responders, at a British Army training site in Thetford, England, May 19, 2019. Other organizations that partnered with the 48th MDG to perform this training exercise include the Suffolk Police and the Suffolk Accident Rescue Service. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Madeline Herzog)

48th MDG trains with local U.K. partners

Published May 24, 2019
By Airman 1st Class Madeline Herzog
48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --

The 48th Medical Group participated in a training exercise with local U.K. partners at a British Army training site in Thetford, England, May 19, 2019.

During the exercise, personnel from the 48th MDG trained with Suffolk Lowland Search and Rescue, Suffolk Police and Suffolk Accident Rescue Service, performing on-scene, life-saving care for 15 simulated trauma patients.

The joint training provided an understanding of each other’s tactics and techniques and an opportunity to build stronger partnerships.

“We’ve worked together over the past two months to develop a scenario and create the simulated trauma injuries in order to give our medical technicians the opportunity to practice and perfect their skills,” said Maj. Gregory Taylor, the Medical Readiness Flight commander assigned to the 48th Medical Support Squadron.

Geared toward enhancing individual readiness capabilities for its participants, the exercise continued to build and expand on the participation and cooperation the Liberty Wing medics have with host nation partners.

“The interoperability between us and the U.K. is benefitted by watching each other work and understanding each other’s capabilities and resources as well as the cross-talk to admins outside of the event,” said Taylor.

“This was a great opportunity for SULSR, SP, and SARS to work together and share both skills and knowledge to help develop relationships that will enhance the ability of teams and professionals to deliver outstanding care,” said Paul Morris, vice chair of Suffolk Lowland Search and Rescue.

The scenario had stations with ambulance loading, and different types of injuries including catastrophic hemorrhage, burns and a traumatic brain injury that medics had to assess and treat appropriately.

“This exercise was a great success due to the commitment shown by our partnerships and our ability to work together,” said Morris.