SHREVEPORT, La. – Roughly 30 medics from Barksdale Air Force Base crossed the Red River this week to participate in a hands‑on training program at Overton Brooks VA Medical Center. The joint effort between the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs gives military medical personnel valuable experience with critical‑care procedures that are not always available at every Air Force facility.
Training focuses on life‑saving techniques
Air Force Technical Sergeant Katelin Munguia, who has served nine years, said the program sharpened skills that could be vital in a combat or field setting. “Not every facility, not every Air Force facility has the capabilities that inpatient facilities have,” Munguia explained. “Having the opportunity to learn from these individuals that have this experience helps us.”
The curriculum emphasized airway management and intubation. Medics repeatedly practiced these techniques under the guidance of Overton Brooks VA surgeon Dr. Richard Quincy and Chief Nurse Anesthetist Crystal Guy. Quincy stressed the importance of repetition, noting, “While they’re physically doing it, it makes that repetition stick.”
From the operating room to simulated emergencies
Training began in a controlled operating‑room environment before moving to simulated “just‑in‑case” scenarios. Guy described the progression: “We start with a controlled setting in the operating room. Once we go through the basics, after that, we come up with the just‑in‑case scenario.” Trainees also learned how to adapt when a procedure does not go as planned, developing alternate approaches for unpredictable situations.
After completing the program, Munguia expressed confidence in her abilities. “If I were told I was leaving tomorrow, I feel confident in my skills. I could do what was needed,” she said.
Future opportunities for Barksdale medics
Administrators at Overton Brooks VA Medical Center indicated that the strong interest shown by the Barksdale team could lead to additional training opportunities in the future, further strengthening the partnership between the two agencies and enhancing the readiness of our service members.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
