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Exercise tests 375th Medical Group readiness for public health emergencies

  • Published
  • 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  

Last week, the 375th Air Mobility Wing Inspector General office collaborated with A6A Associates to conduct a full-scale public health emergency exercise here at Scott.

Airman assess patient

Airman 1st Class Delaynie Dearmond, 375th Healthcare Operations Squadron aerospace medical technician, assesses a patient during a public health emergency exercise on Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, Aug 14, 2025. The exercise tested the 375th Medical Group’s ability to rapidly establish and operate a mass prophylaxis Point of Dispensing (POD) after a simulated anthrax release on the installation that produced multiple positive cases and hundreds of potential exposures. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Violette Hosack)
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A6A Associates, a consulting and training firm specializing in emergency management and healthcare preparedness, led the event as part of their Project SOAR (Sustainment Operations for AFMS Response) initiative to evaluate and strengthen Air Force Medical Service readiness during public health emergencies.

“Exercises like this are vital,” said Lt. Col. Heather Fenzl, 375th Medical Support Squadron pharmacy flight commander. “They give our Airmen the chance to train in realistic, high-pressure situations, which is exactly what we would face in a real public health emergency.”

Airman directs a simulated patient

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Joshua Washington, 375th Healthcare Operations Squadron allergy and immunization technician, directs a simulated patient during a public health emergency exercise on Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, Aug 14, 2025. During the exercise, the high-stakes environment highlighted both strengths and areas for improvement, particularly in patient throughput and resource distribution. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Violette Hosack)
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In this instance, the scenario tested the 375th Medical Group’s ability to rapidly establish and operate a mass prophylaxis Point of Dispensing (POD) in response to a simulated hazardous biological agent. The biological agent was “released” in an installation facility, resulting in multiple simulated positive cases and hundreds more considered exposed.

Dozens of on- and off-base agencies and mission partners joined in to make the exercise as realistic as possible. 

“This exercise really highlighted the importance of an integrated installation response,” said Col. Chrystal Henderson, 375th Medical Group commander. “The level of wing involvement exceeded my expectations and greatly impressed the SOAR team as an example to be modeled for their future iterations.”

Throughout the exercise, medical group Airmen practiced dispensing countermeasures, managing patient flow, and operating both the medical processing point and POD to meet critical patient care objectives under pressure. The high-stakes environment highlighted both strengths and areas for improvement, including refining patient throughput and resource distribution strategies.

Simulated patients process through the prophylaxis Point of Dispensing (POD)

Simulated patients process through the prophylaxis Point of Dispensing (POD) during a public health emergency exercise on Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, Aug 14, 2025. Throughout the exercise, Medical Group Airmen practiced dispensing countermeasures, managing patient flow, and operating the medical processing point to meet critical patient care objectives under pressure. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Violette Hosack)
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 “It really goes to show what each and every one of us brings to the fight. Every role is critical in an emergency scenario like this, and we all need to be ready.”
Lt. Col. Heather Fenzl, 375th Medical Support Squadron pharmacy flight commander

When asked about key takeaways, Henderson emphasized the broader value of the exercise. “It’s events like this that help us to identify capability gaps and areas of improvement, so we are prepared for future public health emergencies,” concluded Henderson. “The medics performed exceptionally well and with precision while displaying their expertise.

“I am extremely proud of my 375th MDG medics and our teammates through the wing for a very successful and well-executed training event.”