Misawa first responders tests their skills

  • Published
  • By Chief Petty Officer Brian Naranjo
  • Naval Air Facility Misawa
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  U.S. Navy medical first responders from Naval Air Facility Misawa, Japan, joined with their U.S. Air Force counterparts, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, and civilian emergency response teams, during an aircraft mishap drill at Misawa Airport, Nov. 6.

The annual exercise is designed to reinforce the informal mutual aid agreement between the U.S. Military and Japanese authorities, according to Navy Lt. Christa Thomasma, a doctor assigned to NAF Misawa.

Military and civilian teams rushed to the civilian airport in response to a simulated airplane crash that had multiple victims, with a number of injuries, highlighted in moulage makeup. A bus played the role of aircraft during the event.

The Navy team of four, led by Lieutenant Thomasma, worked side-by-side with Air Force and Japanese responders, triaging and treating patients, and then preparing them for evacuation.

"We pulled out all the stops in supporting this exercise," said Lieutenant Thomasma, "because that's what we'd do in a real emergency."

In her 18 months assigned to the Naval Air Facility, the doctor said she's glad that there haven't been any large-scale contingencies, but is very mindful of the potential that exists on a daily basis.

"In this region," she explained, "not counting aircraft or automobile mishaps, there's potential for an earthquake, typhoon, or tsunami, so it's always good to be prepared."

The medical and fire personnel worked seamlessly, and within an hour from initial response, the last of the four serious injury victims was loaded on an ambulance and driven to safety.

For Petty Officer 1st Class Lisa Hovde, it was just another routine part of the job.

"Exercises are the best," she said with a smile. "We really dig them around here. This is the part of being a corpsman that we enjoy. We get to work together as a team, but also get to see the equipment each agency uses, and that could be crucial in a real-world disaster."

Petty Officer Hovde pointed out the advanced Japanese technology employed during the exercise, like a tent, capable of holding 20 patients, that is self-inflatable and only takes five minutes to set up. It also came with fluorescent lights.

"I'd never seen a tent that size, with that many capabilities before," she said.

35th Medical Group commander, Air Force Col. Guillermo Tellez, was on-scene as an observer, and liked what he saw.

"This is one of those rare moments where the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Navy, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, and the local city can exercise all at once," he said. "It was a great opportunity today, and was well-executed on all fronts."