The multi-day exercise brought together 65 Sailors for intensive hands-on training in expeditionary medicine, directly supporting the command’s mission to “train, deploy, and sustain operationally ready forces that deliver exceptional expeditionary medical capabilities to the warfighter.”

“We’ve been planning this field exercise for the last six months with the goal of immersing our Sailors in a realistic operational environment where they were responsible for managing battlefield injuries,” said Capt. Tracey Giles, NMRTC Fort Belvoir’s Commanding Officer. “It’s critical for our team to gain real-world exposure to care under fire, which was a primary area of focus — from controlling life-threatening battle injuries and providing airway support, to performing triage and executing casualty evacuations.”

NMRTC Belvior’s training team, which includes Cmdr. Andrew O'Dea, Director for Force Generation and Force Development, and Chief Hospital Corpsman, Semo Ayers, Senior Enlisted Leader for the Administrative Directorate, spearheaded this full-day training event which included interactive simulation mannequins and field ambulance support.

The exercise began with the construction of the Base-X model 305 tents, which served as the foundation of a deployable field hospital. From there Sailors transitioned into a series of simulated combat scenarios designed to test their ability to respond quickly and effectively to trauma cases, including mock blast and gunshot injuries. These high-pressure drills were designed to reinforce principles taught in the Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) course.

Emergency Room Navy Nurse Lt.j.g Claire Meyer-Hagen, noted, “The field exercise was an incredible opportunity for Sailors to step outside the hospital environment and apply skills within an operational different setting.
Hospitalman Jett Harold agreed, and added, “We learned how to set up field tents and worked through a range of realistic casualty scenarios. The field exercise helped prepare us for trauma medicine in a field setting where we learned from experience leaders.”

At 10 dedicated battle stations and a medical evacuation station, teams practiced using the standardized nine-line Medical Evacuation (MEDVAC) system to communicate casualty reports and executed proper loading of patients onto stretchers procedures with the military ambulance personnel.

NMRTC Belvoir Command Master Chief Iris Gonzales called the field training exercise a milestone event, stating that it marks a growing commitment by the command to ensure personnel are fully prepared to deliver life-saving medical care--anytime, anywhere.

Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command (NMRTC) Fort Belvoir ensures medical readiness for Navy personnel while supporting the delivery of high-quality care at Alexander T Augusta Military Medical Center. The command includes more than 400 Sailors who contribute to joint service operations in the National Capital Region. NMRTC Ft. Belvoir plays a critical role in preparing warfighters and medical professionals for expeditionary missions.