LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The 47th Medical Group (MDG) hosted a Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) Rodeo, an internal readiness competition that sharpened medics' TCCC skills through realistic, deployed scenarios April 16, 2025.
The event tasked teams with responding to simulated battlefield emergencies. Organizers awarded the top-performing team the title of Laughlin's "Best Medic Team."
“The MDG Rodeo was inspired by the need to enhance our real-world medical response capabilities in a dynamic, challenging environment,” said Maj. Paul Lickteig, 47th Medical Group Operational Support Team Flight commander. “It directly supports our readiness goals by providing hands-on training in TCCC, promoting teamwork, and fostering a competitive spirit that drives excellence in medical proficiency. It reinforces the critical skills needed to provide effective care under pressure, ultimately contributing to our ability to save lives in any situation.
Medics navigated a rigorous downed-pilot recovery scenario to test their readiness under fire. Teams located and treated a simulated casualty, then evacuated the patient to safety while continuing care using field techniques. The scenario required proficiency across all tiers of TCCC, including Care Under Fire, Tactical Field Care and Tactical Evacuation Care.
“TCCC is the core of the MDG Rodeo,” said Lickteig. “Participants faced realistic simulated injuries and challenging conditions that require them to apply their TCCC knowledge and skills effectively.”
Event evaluators scored teams on medical accuracy, decision-making, communication and time to complete the scenario. They assigned higher point values to complex procedures, such as cricothyroidotomy and medication administration under simulated patient conditions, to emphasize the importance of rapid, effective responses in austere environments.
“I have only seen friendly rivalry and excitement amongst our MDG personnel in preparation for our TCCC Rodeo,” said Tech. Sgt. Sylvia Bowman, 47th Health Care Operations Squadron non-commissioned officer in charge of Family Medicine. “This event will provide an opportunity for our members to brush up on their skills, build muscle memory, and enhance team coordination through realistic, high-stress scenarios. This training will boost confidence and ensure rapid, effective response in critical situations in a fun and safe way.”
The competition gave junior Airmen opportunities to lead and collaborate across ranks. Organizers designed the event to build not only clinical precision but also trust, communication, and resilience under stress.
Participants gained experience operating in simulated field conditions while using realistic medical gear. Teams practiced gear management, made rapid decisions, and executed medical interventions with clear, coordinated communication.
“I think the most valuable part of the exercise was definitely communication and teamwork,” said Senior Airman Diego Padilla, 47th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron prophylaxis technician and dental assistant. “When everyone’s on the same page, things just flow effortlessly. If I needed to communicate something like a U Box issue or bring up a problem with Capital Management, it was smooth. That kind of coordination made the whole scenario feel more controlled and efficient. It really showed how important it is to build trust and have clear communication in high-stress situations.”
Padilla also shared what stood out to him most during the simulation.
“The realism of the background noise, gunshots, open wounds, and fake blood all added to the intensity,” said Padilla. “It felt real, and that pushed us to take the situation seriously. It wasn’t just another training day, and it made me think about how I’d react in a real emergency and what role I’d play on the team.”
The high-stress simulation challenged medics to stay calm and act decisively in lifelike emergencies. Sounds of conflict, simulated wounds, and visual cues created an immersive environment that pushed participants.
“We hope participants gain increased confidence in their TCCC skills, and a deeper understanding of the challenges of providing medical care in austere environments,” said Lickteig. “Empowering all members at any skill level to respond effectively is vital not only to our mission but to saving lives in any situation.”
The event was made possible through the dedication of key personnel including Major Lickteig, Capt. Jessica Dow, Master Sgt. Jasmine Pabalan and Tech Sgt. Zachary Gandy. Their efforts enabled the team to execute a scalable event that will inform future exercises, fostering esprit de corps and driving excellence in medical proficiency.