RAF Lakenheath exercises contingency training at Exercise Teal Thunder Published Oct. 30, 2024 By Senior Airman Renee Nicole S.N. Finona 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs RAF LAKENHEATH, England -- U.S. Airmen from various units around the world came together to participate in a joint bivouac and Expeditionary Medical Support training exercise at RAF Feltwell, simulating the challenges of operating in a deployed environment Oct. 7-10. The exercise, designed to enhance readiness and foster collaboration, kicked off with the preparation of a mock deployment site, where Liberty Wing Airmen focused on establishing infrastructure needed for operations in austere environments. Exercises like Teal Thunder provide our mission support experts with opportunities to advance through the practice of their essential skill sets. This allows us to establish a power projection platform that ensures we can execute any and all required capabilities in any environment.” U.S. Air Force Col. Glenn Cameron, 48th Mission Support Group commander Airmen within the medical career fields were tasked with setting up temporary shelters, supply depots, and the medical treatment facility, which served as the focal point for emergency care throughout the exercise. “Our tactics and procedures state we cannot deploy the EMEDS without MSG support,” said 1st Lt. William Price, Medical Readiness Squadron officer in charge. “Being able to integrate into the bivouac ultimately made our part of the exercise a success. Moving forward, establishing this as an annual exercise would be invaluable for the base.” U.S. Airmen assigned to the 48th Mission Support Group transport a simulated injured combatant for emergency medical treatment during Exercise Teal Thunder at RAF Feltwell, England, Oct. 9, 2024. During the training, Liberty Wing Airmen practiced medical evacuation for simulated injured service members to prepare for contested environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Renee Nicole S.N. Finona) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res During the training, Airmen engaged in a range of vital operational tasks, including land navigation, tactical combat casualty care, and chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear defense. Adding complexity to the training, various injects had been introduced, such as simulated base ground attacks and other emergent threats, testing the response and decision-making capabilities of the team. “This exercise was a game-changer for our medical teams,” said Col. Nathan Shwamburger, 48th Medical Group commander. “It allowed us to validate our ability to treat and evacuate casualties under the pressure of a simulated combat environment. By the end of the training, our medical Airmen gained invaluable experience, working as a team using their deployable equipment. This entire event allowed them to be certified for a deployment anywhere in the world.” U.S. Airmen assigned to the 48th Medical Group transport a simulated patient from a CV-22 Osprey assigned to the 352nd Special Operations Wing to their expeditionary medical support facility during Exercise Teal Thunder at RAF Feltwell, England, Oct. 8, 2024. Ex. Teal Thunder combined medical and mission support Airmen to help build a robust and ready force, capable of providing trauma care, en route care and other simulated scenarios. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Renee Nicole S.N. Finona) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res The involvement of a CV-22 Osprey assigned to the 352nd Special Operations Wing was a highlight of the exercise, as it was utilized to evacuate simulated casualties from RAF Feltwell. The patients were then transferred to the EMEDS facility for emergency medical treatment. This key element will provide Airmen with hands-on experience and the training they need to get certified. This joint exercise maintained a high level of readiness throughout the 48th Fighter Wing and ensured that our Airmen will be fully prepared to operate in complex and dynamic environments.