‘’wounded victims’’ brings reality to LORE

A volunteer plays the part of a gunshot wound victim after moulage is applied during Beverly High 11-4, a local readiness exercise at Kadena Air Base, Japan, May 19. Kadena personnel are participating in this exercise to stay prepared for real world contingencies. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Jarvie Z. Wallace)

‘’wounded victims’’ brings reality to LORE

A volunteer plays the part of the victim of a laceration wound after moulage is applied during Beverly High 11-4, a local readiness exercise at Kadena Air Base, Japan, May 19. Moulage is used to simulate severe injuries, adding a heightened degree of reality to emergency situations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Jarvie Z. Wallace)

'Victims' bring reality to LORE

Published May 20, 2011
By Airman 1st Class Jarvie Z. Wallace
18th Wing Public Affairs

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- Team Kadena has been participating in Beverly High 11-4, a "fight the base" local operational readiness exercise, this week, where participants had to ward off numerous attack scenarios.

But while Airmen on the base faced everything from simulated mortar incidents, rocket-propelled grenade events, chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear, and explosive incidents, a team from the 18th Dental Squadron has been adding to the reality by adding artificial injuries, or "moulage," to simulated casualties.

"I think it adds realism and gives you that 'wow' effect,'' said moulage artist Staff Sgt. Cynthia Evans, 18th Dental Squadron dental technician. "The volunteers think it's really cool and are surprised at their appearance after the makeup is applied."

Not only did the moulage makeup shock the "victims" themselves, but it also gave the emergency responders a more life-like feel to the situation to create a stronger sense of urgency.

Airman 1st Class Chelsea Rittenhouse, 18th Aerospace Medicine Squadron aerospace medical technician and victim, said every time she performs as a casualty, she works the hardest to make the situation seem graver.

"I scream the loudest because if you're not acting the part, people don't take it serious, because in a real-world situation, things aren't calm and glamorous," said Airman Rittenhouse.