319th Medical Group tests readiness, emergency response during mass casualty exercise

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Anthony Nunez-Pellicer
  • 319th Reconnaissance Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  

The 319th Medical Group conducted a mass casualty exercise Feb. 26, 2025, here.

With the help of volunteers from across the base, the Airmen of the 319th MDG were able to evaluate and identify areas for improvement in their emergency and contingency response measures.

The volunteers served as simulated victims, dressed with fake wounds referred to as “moulage” and provided medical condition cards that determined their treatment requirements during the exercise.

Mass casualty exercises are frequently used to practice response to scenarios like chemical attacks, active shooters, or domestic terror incidents. The exercises test the response time and quality of treatment provided by medical personnel in a controlled and safe environment.

Though the injuries and medical conditions were simulated, the expectation for medical personnel was to render treatment as if they were real.

“In order to consider this training a success, the Airmen had to set up a decontamination tent in less than 20 minutes, identify and treat all wounds properly and get the patient their needed care as quickly as possible,” said 2nd Lt. Sabrea Burts, medical readiness flight commander for the 319th Medical Group. “Every second wasted is a second someone could die in the real world, so we treat it as such, even though it’s an exercise.”

Part of the exercise included practice in determining order and priority of care by separating patients to one of four categories: immediate, delayed, expectant and minimal.

Each category determined what level of care patients received in the medical clinic and whether they were to be released or taken to the hospital for a higher level of care.


“You have to be able to make decisions quickly but also make sure they’re the right decisions, people’s lives are in your hands,” said Burts. “I’m very proud of our team, the exercise went well and we’re planning on doing more throughout the year.”

The 319th Medical Group stands armed with mission ready Airmen who will continue to provide trusted care and emergency response services anywhere they are called to do so.