RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- The 86th Medical Group provides a unique capability when it comes to training within the medical realm. The Medical Simulation Training Center is the home to nine human simulators.
The human simulators provide a realistic aspect to medical training. During exercises, injects from instructors can be reduced, as they can program the simulators with vital information. The simulators can have a pulse, breath and even bleed.
This capability came to Ramstein in 2012 and the following year, more than 1,500 service members trained on the life-like simulators. Today the center has outgrown its original brick and mortar location and will be moving to a larger facility as the number of students the center sees per year has more than doubled.
“We are small, but very robust,” said Christopher Williams, 86th MDG simulation specialist. “We’re getting bigger because we’ve outgrown it.”
This capability allows the 86th MDG to maintain their own training certifications, but also lends a hand to joint partners.
On a regular rotation, U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz Rhine Ordnance Barracks is the home station to two forward resuscitative surgical teams.
“We are a small dynamic team that is doctrinally forward deployed as close to the point of injury as feasible,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Andrew Kagel, 67th FRST commander.
When not deployed within the Central Command area of responsibility, the 67th FRST are on a rotational be-prepared-to-deploy order to support the Army Contingency Response Force. Because of this high operational tempo, it is vital they keep their skills sharp and remain ready when the team gets the call to move.
“We are always on mission, and need to find training opportunities of high value and flexibility,” said Kagel. “The Medical Simulation Training Center provides just those sorts of opportunities.”
The high fidelity simulation offered by the 86th MDG provides unmatched capabilities in the area, supporting instructors of such courses as advanced cardiovascular life support, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and self-aid buddy care.
“Ramstein can do the most high speed medical training,” said Williams. “This is like the flight simulator for the medical field.”