JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. -- Members of the 779th and 579th Medical Groups finalized their deployment process before beginning the Vibrant Response training exercise April 19, 2017, at the base theater at Joint Base Andrews, Md.
The Airmen, who will make up the expeditionary medical support contingent during the U.S. Army North’s 2017 nuclear attack training program, spent most of the morning receiving deployment briefings and picking up mobility gear that included resourceful items like water canteens, utility belts and sleeping bags.
USNORTHCOM is a Unified Combatant Command that conducts joint training exercises, like Vibrant Response, to prepare U.S. armed forces to provide homeland defense and civil support in the event of a natural or man-made national emergency. It would be the primary defender against a mainland invasion of the U.S.
During the Vibrant Response exercise, which will last through the beginning of May, medical professionals from the 79th Medical Wing will train to stand up support packages that provide individual bed-down and theater-level medical services for deployed forces or select population groups in the event of a nuclear attack within the U.S.
Specifically, services include providing forward stabilization, resuscitative care, primary care, dental services and force health protection while also preparing casualties for evacuation to the next level of care.
“We are excited about this training exercise and looking forward to our team working with our joint partners to ensure we are fully ready if we are ever activated to respond during a real world event,” said Chief Master Sgt. Dawn Kolczynski, 779th Medical Group superintendent.
The deploying Airmen received multiple briefings from offices like public affairs, legal, finance, personnel readiness and public health throughout the morning.
Staff Sgt. Tiffany Gibbs, 11th Logistics Readiness Squadron, served as out-processing facilitator who led the Airmen through their deployment preparation process.
“These briefings are tailor-designed to better prepare the Airmen for specific conditions they encounter while deployed,” Gibbs said. “They’ll receive another round of briefings once they arrive at their destination.”
For the deployment group’s senior leaders, preparation and having the right mindset are keys to mission success during the exercise.
“I’d like to see our Airmen maintain a positive attitude and remain eager to learn,” she said. “I want them to have a complete understanding of their mission, roles and responsibilities to ensure they are prepared to respond if activated to serve during a real world event.”
Look for upcoming stories about the accomplishments of the 79th Medical Wing’s Airmen during Vibrant Response.