Moulage team adds realism to LORE

Master Sgt. Nicholaus Stopfer, non-commissioned officer in charge of area dental laboratory from the 18th Dental Squadron, applies a realistic open head wound to Airman Basic Cody Sears, security forces journeyman from the 18th Security Forces Squadron, during a local operational readiness exercise. Volunteer victims, like Airman Sears, provide a more realistic training environment to first responders during emergency scenarios. (U.S. Air Force Photo/ Junko Kinjo)

Moulage team adds realism to LORE

Master Sgt. Nicholaus Stopfer, non-commissioned officer in charge of area dental laboratory from the 18th Dental Squadron, reapplies fake blood to an abdominal injury on Airman 1st Class Anthony Robinette, a volunteer victim from the 18th Maintenance Operations Squadron. During Kadena’s local operational readiness exercises, volunteer victims allow first responders to encounter injuries victims might receive under real circumstances. (U.S. Air Force Photo/ Junko Kinjo)

Team of "victims" makes LORE training more realistic

Published Jan. 23, 2011
By Airman 1st Class Tara A. Williamson
18th Wing Public Affairs

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- While the majority of Kadena was donning personal protective equipment and performing post-attack reconnaissance sweeps, a moulage team from the 18th Dental Squadron prepared a group of volunteers to be "victims" during the local operational readiness exercises.

Members of the moulage team applied makeup to the 27 volunteers acting as post-attack victims to make it look as if they had real injuries needing emergency treatment. The extra effects gave the rescue situation a more urgent feel for emergency responders participating in the exercise.

"I think it adds a huge dose of realism," said moulage artist Master Sgt. Nicholaus Stopfer, 18th Dental Squadron noncommissioned officer in charge of the area dental laboratory. "I've heard of some who have responded and are taken aback and are a little scared by the injuries."

For example, a few injuries created this past LORE were chemical burns, which involved mock blisters on the skin, abdominal evisceration, or disembowelment, and shrapnel protruding from victims' extremities. And of course, gallons of fake blood applied to almost every victim.

Being a victim allowed volunteers to help units apply their training, said Airman 1st Class Anthony Robinette, 18th Maintenance Operations Squadron who portrayed a victim in the LORE. It also instilled a certain amount of fear when responders first arrive. With blood coming out of fake wounds and severed limbs, it was a lot of fun, both on the training and entertaining sides.

People react more when it feels like a real-life scenario, said Airman Robinette. He saw a woman shaking because she was frightened after arriving to a "real" victim scenario, and she couldn't think straight.

"It better prepares them for combat situations," Sergeant Stopfer said. "It definitely exposes them to more and gives them a better idea of what they would see on the battlefield."