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KADENA AIR BASE, Japan — U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. John Gallemore, 18th Wing commander, and Chief Master Sgt. William Cupp, 18th Wing command chief, visited 18th Medical Group during a tour of the Expeditionary Medical Support facility as part of a USAF-led operational exercise, Beverly Midnight 26 at Kadena Air Base, Japan, March 10, 2026.
During the visit, 18th Medical Group Airmen and Forward Resuscitation Surgical Team members from the 3rd Marine Logistics Group, 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force briefed wing leadership on EMEDS capabilities and demonstrated patient care procedures using a simulated casualty scenario.
EMEDS enables the rapid deployment of mobile medical treatment facilities, allowing medical personnel to provide care in austere or contingency environments.
“This location serves as a secondary site where we can receive and treat patients,” said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Cheree Voto, 18th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron operational medical technician. “If an emergency occurs, we want to ensure we are fully prepared and ready to respond.”
The exercise also provided Airmen with hands-on training in a high-tempo operational environment.
“Understanding how to build and operate a medical facility from the ground up is critical,” said U.S. Air Force Capt. Daniel Shields, internal medicine medical director with the 18th Healthcare Operations Squadron. “This exercise gives our Airmen the opportunity to understand what will be expected of us in a contested environment and how quickly we must be ready to care for trauma patients.”
Establishing the EMEDS facility during BM26 tested rapid-response capabilities and helped prepare medical personnel for potential regional contingencies while reinforcing the 18th Wing’s ability to provide lifesaving care anytime and anywhere.
BM26 provides an opportunity to strengthen readiness and enhance coordination among U.S. forces operating in the Indo-Pacific region.
| Date Taken: | 03.10.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 03.10.2026 19:17 |
| Story ID: | 560230 |
| Location: | KADENA, OKINAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 207 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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