Reserve medics train with Scottsdale SWAT

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Lausanne Kinder
  • 944th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  The 944th Aeromedical Staging Squadron conducted Tactical Combat Casualty Care training here March 23 to 26.

The four-day course consisted of in-class, hands-on, and field training exercises at the Luke Auxiliary Field.

"The training is based off of current evidence based research/approach medicine in the field," said Master Sgt. Christopher Martin, 944th Aeromedical Staging Squadron Non-Commissioned officer in charge of Critical Care Air Transport and TCCC instructor.

Along with 944th Fighter Wing Reservists, members of the Scottsdale Fire Department and SWAT team participated in the training.

"For new members to SWAT teams like me, training like this is the backbone for everything that I will do as a member of the SWAT team," said Capt. Jeremy Brunk, Scottsdale SWAT Team Emergency Medical Services medic.

During the field training exercise, students were briefed by the 944th Security Forces Squadron about the rules of engagement on the field before they were sent out to complete their missions. Both students and opposing forces were armed with paintball guns and were put through different combat scenarios.

"I just thought it was great to combine what we learn in the civilian world through a military perspective," said Brunk. "Usually when we operate it's in close quarters, and out here [Luke Auxiliary Field] it's in the open."

The students endured heavy fire while trying to suppress enemy fire and care for wounded patients.

"TCCC is a course that provides the member with realistic combat experiences in a tactical environment to prepare for upcoming deployments," said Martin. "It raises the bar and skill level to make medics more prepared for future events."

"[These programs] are total force initiative where sister services and civilian entities have participated in our classes and have established training relationships with," said Martin. "We are providing the most current lifesaving skills and information coming straight from the battlefield."

The 944th ASTS also provides Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) and Trauma First Responder Course (TFR).

"Everyone has been great, I've learned a lot and I can't wait to come back and hopefully do it again in the future. I'd recommend it to any SWAT operator who hasn't attended or any paramedic for that matter, whether they're on the SWAT team or not," said Brunk.