KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 18th Medical Group trained to deliver life-saving care during a large-scale medical readiness exercise at Kadena Air Base, Japan, April 17, 2025.
Medics responded in full mission oriented protective posture gear to the area where simulated chemical weapons were suspected. Biomedical teams surveyed the area for the chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats while the field response team gave first aid to patients on scene.
“This event prepared Airmen to react to the most complicated mass casualty scenario possible where contaminated patients require care while under attack,” said U.S. Air Force Capt. Dominique Robleto, 18th Medical Support Squadron flight commander. “If they can succeed in this scenario, they have the skills to manage any other scenario.”
This exercise tested rapid response capabilities to prepare medical personnel for potential emergencies in the Indo-Pacific region. Some significant mass casualty events the 18th MDG has responded to are COVID, humanitarian missions in support of major storms and hurricanes, and combat operations at deployed locations.
After being transferred from the scene, all patients were processed through the patient casualty care flow at the 18th MDG building where their level of care was determined by the patient administration team, who then coordinated higher echelons of care, if needed, to U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa.
“Our medics need to be prepared to support the most severe of contingency operations on short notice,” said Robleto. “Day-to-day clinic operations just do not provide the required exposure to these contingency specific skills.”
The 18th MDG holds an annual CBRN exercise with U.S. Pacific Air Forces, and participates in base exercises throughout the year.
From patient care, decontamination and casualty management, to transportation, security and emergency response, it’s important that every medic understands their role during a CBRN mass casualty scenario.