U.S. Marines and Sailors conduct emergency medical training at Southern Border

Photo By Lance Cpl. Stella Tedesco | U.S. Marines and Sailors with 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, assigned to Joint Task Force-Southern Border (JTF-SB), and AeroCare Headquarters pose for a group photo after a simulated medical evacuation in Yuma, Ariz., Feb. 7, 2026. Joint training ensures that JTF-SB personnel are prepared to work with AeroCare Medical Transport teams if a medical emergency occurs in remote area along the southern border. U.S. Northern Command is working side-by-side with the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection within narrowly defined authorities to provide unique military capabilities to protect the territorial integrity of the U.S. southern border. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Stella Tedesco)  

YUMA, ARIZONA, UNITED STATES

02.24.2026

Courtesy Story

Department of War Southern Border   

YUMA, Ariz. – U.S. Marines and Sailors with 1st Combat Engineer Battalion (CEB), 1st Marine Division, assigned to Joint Task Force-Southern Border (JTF-SB), executed routine tactical combat casualty care (TCCC) exercises while deployed at the southern border, February 2026. Casualty evacuation (CASEVAC) rehearsals are a vital training exercise used to prepare service members to effectively treat a casualty at the point of injury and facilitate the transportation of the person to their next place of care.

Since Dec. 12, 2025, 1st CEB has been conducting vigorous engineering and logistical operations within the El Centro and Yuma Sector of the southern border. These missions include reinforcing the existing southern border barrier - all part of the Department of War’s (DoW) continued support to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and U.S. Border Patrol (USBP).

Prior to starting daily operations, Marines and Sailors participate in casualty evacuation rehearsals to evaluate their ability to respond to actual medical emergencies. CASEVAC rehearsals focus on the provision of basic medical care and the proper transport to higher levels of care.

Often, on-the-spot or preplanned simulated emergency scenarios are initiated by platoon leadership to test a service member’s situational awareness.  CASEVAC rehearsals require Marines and Sailors to perform TCCC, which may include applying tourniquets or splints, controlling bleeding, maintaining airways, and transporting casualties out of the operating area.

Consistent repetition improves the service members’ muscle memory in high-stress situations, allowing them to respond more quickly and effectively during actual medical emergencies.

“Casualty evacuation rehearsals aim to practice more methodical procedures during emergencies rather than reactionary responses,” said Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Jonathan Spears. “They ensure everyone knows what needs to be done in regard to communication and logistics, which improves overall readiness.”

Training is not only essential for instilling competence and confidence in service members during medical emergencies, but also for assessing the unit's overall mission readiness. Beyond medical care, service members must effectively communicate critical information to USBP, have logistical plans in place to transport those in need , and have all necessary equipment to properly care for casualties.

1st CEB operates under tactical control of JTF-SB and in close coordination with CBP and USBP. These efforts reflect USNORTHCOM’s ongoing role as the DoW’s operational lead in employing military forces to protect the territorial integrity of the United States. JTF-SB executes full-scale, agile, and all-domain operations in support of USCBP to protect the territorial integrity of the United States and achieve 100% operational control of the southern border.

• Date Taken: 02.24.2026
• Date Posted: 03.05.2026 17:12
• Story ID: 558797
• Location: YUMA, ARIZONA, US