Goodfellow | 17th Medical Group participates in Ready EAGLE II

Published Sept. 18, 2023
By Senior Airman Sarah Williams
17th Training Wing Public Affairs

GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, TexasThe 17th Medical Group partnered with the Ready EAGLE II team to conduct a preparedness ready exercise at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, Sept. 12-14. --

There are many hazards military members may face throughout their careers or in deployed locations. Our medical teams stationed throughout the world continuously practice their skill to hone their abilities in the case of an emergency. Those skills can make the difference when saving a life.

17th Medical Group participates in Ready EAGLE II

The 17th Medical Group participates in a Ready EAGLE II exercise at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, Sept. 14, 2023. The exercise built upon skills developed previously during Ready EAGLE I and created an opportunity for the 17th MDG to enhance their installation medical hazards response capabilities, team integration, and response skills. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Sarah Williams)

The 17th Medical Group partnered with the Ready EAGLE II team to conduct a preparedness ready exercise at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, Sept. 12-14.

Ready EAGLE II was a three-day event that built upon skills previously developed during Ready EAGLE I and created an opportunity for the 17th MDG to enhance their installation medical hazards response capabilities, team integration, and response skills.

“Members have to practice muscle memory so people know what to do in case of an emergency,” said Norma Grandberry, Ready EAGLE II instructor. “They put everything they learned over the three days of training into use, and the exercise allows them to be set up for success.”

During the exercise, Airmen went through training seminars, equipment reviews, tabletop discussions and a culminating full scale mass casualty exercise that involved critical first responders and emergency managers from across the wing.

17th Medical Group participates in Ready EAGLE II

Airmen assigned to the 17th Medical Group carry a simulated patient during a Ready EAGLE II exercise at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, Sept. 14, 2023. Patients were removed from the decontamination and placed on the ground for simulated secondary medical care. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Sarah Williams)

“Because the 17th Training Wing also participated in the exercise, the 17th MDG was able to communicate together to find deficiencies and improve them,” said Grandberry. “They were able to find what works in a training environment before a real-world scenario ever happens.”

The 17th MDG readiness office met with the Ready EAGLE II Team 120 days before the exercise to discuss the scenarios and the extent of the exercise.

“You never know what’s going to happen, so you always want to be ready,” said U.S. Air Force Capt. Miguel Luevano, 17th MDG medical readiness officer. “In the real world or exercises things happen and fluctuate, so with the exercise, we’re able to overcome possible obstacles that we didn’t anticipate and become more aware of different things that could come up while we execute our jobs.”

Luevano stressed that it’s essential for Airmen from the lowest ranking to the highest ranking to know the role they play so they can perform their job as best as possible.

“Our job is to protect the Air Force, protect our assets and protect our people,” said Luevano. “It’s important to make sure that the 17th MDG is constantly working on improving and validating our capabilities, so when or if something happens, we are ready to handle it.”

17th Medical Group participates in Ready EAGLE II

U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Leah Corr, 17th Healthcare Operations Squadron physician assistant, documents a simulated patient’s treatment during a Ready EAGLE II exercise at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, Sept. 14, 2023. Accurate documentation helped guide further decisions for the simulated patient's care. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Sarah Williams)

17th Medical Group participates in Ready EAGLE II

A triage cart carries supplies during a Ready EAGLE II exercise at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, Sept. 14, 2023. The triage team performed Tactical Combat Casualty Care on simulated patients. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Sarah Williams)

17th Medical Group participates in Ready EAGLE II

Airmen assigned to the 17th Medical Group perform decontamination procedures during a Ready EAGLE II exercise at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, Sept. 14, 2023. Decontamination removed simulated harmful substances from the medical mannequin. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Sarah Williams)