ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. (DVIDS) — Airmen from Ellsworth Air Force Base and Soldiers with the South Dakota National Guard joined forces for a medical emergency response exercise May 20, strengthening coordination and readiness between military branches during simulated emergency situations.

The training brought together Air Force personnel and members of the South Dakota National Guard’s aviation medical team to practice rapid response, casualty assessment and medical evacuation procedures. The exercise featured an HH-60M Black Hawk helicopter and focused on the first aid and emergency protocols needed to support successful operations in real-world scenarios.

During the exercise, U.S. Army South Dakota National Guard flight medic Staff Sgt. Lydia Raderschadt and flight doctor Lt. Col. Joshua Paull arrived aboard a Black Hawk helicopter and worked alongside Ellsworth Airmen to respond to a simulated medical emergency. The scenario allowed participants to rehearse critical decision making and patient care under realistic conditions.

Paull and Airmen assessed a mock casualty as part of the training, reinforcing the importance of joint force cooperation during emergency situations. Military officials said routine exercises help ensure personnel remain prepared to respond quickly and effectively when real emergencies occur.

The training also highlighted the role of aviation crews in medical response missions. U.S. Army South Dakota National Guard Sgt. Dallis Trego, a crew chief assigned to the 189th Aviation Regiment, participated in the exercise by helping provide rapid response and evacuation support while maintaining aviation safety throughout the operation.

Military leaders emphasize that regular joint training strengthens communication and interoperability between service branches. Exercises such as the one conducted at Ellsworth help ensure Airmen and Soldiers can work together seamlessly when responding to emergencies, whether during training missions, domestic operations or deployments.

The exercise demonstrated the continued partnership between Ellsworth Air Force Base and the South Dakota National Guard while reinforcing the shared commitment to readiness, rapid response and the safety of service members.

U.S. Army South Dakota National Guard flight medic Staff Sgt. Lydia Raderschadt, left, and flight doctor Lt. Col. Joshua Paull exit a HH-60M Black Hawk helicopter during a medical emergency response exercise on Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., May 20, 2026. Soldiers worked with EAFB Airmen in providing rapid response and first-aid protocols necessary for successful operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Austin Mooneyham)
U.S. Army South Dakota National Guard flight medic Staff Sgt. Lydia Raderschadt, left, and flight doctor Lt. Col. Joshua Paull exit a HH-60M Black Hawk helicopter during a medical emergency response exercise on Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., May 20, 2026. Soldiers worked with EAFB Airmen in providing rapid response and first-aid protocols necessary for successful operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Austin Mooneyham)
U.S. Army South Dakota National Guard Sgt. Dallis Trego, a crew chief assigned to the 189th Aviation Regiment, surveys the landscape out of a HH-60M Black Hawk during a joint force emergency medical response exercise with Airmen from Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., May 20, 2026. Trego aided in providing rapid response and evacuation to casualties while ensuring aviation safety to all exercise participants. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Austin Mooneyham)
U.S. Army South Dakota National Guard flight doctor Lt. Col. Joshua Paull and U.S. Air Force Airmen assess a simulated casualty during a medical emergency response exercise on Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., May 20, 2026. Routine training and joint force operations ensure continued success across all U.S. military branches. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Austin Mooneyham)