HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. — As recent conflicts have reinforced the realities of contested logistics and extended evacuation timelines, Hurlburt Field established the Air Force’s first stateside Joint Trauma System (JTS)-certified Valkyrie Prehospital Whole Blood training site. Medical personnel from the 1st Special Operations Wing completed the certification course June 8–19, 2026, establishing an enduring capability while expanding Air Force capacity to deliver lifesaving care in contested environments.
The Valkyrie Prehospital Whole Blood program prepares medics to deliver whole blood at the point of injury when evacuation or advanced medical care is delayed or unavailable. Unlike traditional blood supplies, whole blood can be collected and delivered forward, giving commanders another means to sustain combat operations when casualties occur far from conventional medical support. Hurlburt’s certification also qualified instructors and Airmen from 31st Air Task Force and Little Rock Air Force Base’s Deployable Combat Wing, expanding Air Force capacity to deliver this capability.
“Early whole blood transfusion saves lives,” said Col. Stacey Brundrett, 1st Special Operations Medical Group chief nurse. “Combat casualty research has shown many battlefield deaths are potentially survivable if blood can be delivered sooner.” In fact, whole blood administered within 36 minutes of injury produces a fourfold increase in 24-hour survival while significantly reducing 30-day mortality. Valkyrie brings that capability to the point of injury before evacuation or definitive care is available. With local Hurlburt units’ support, participants trained with live donors and recipients while performing blood collection and transfusions to Joint Trauma System standards.
The certification directly supports the Air Force’s unit of action construct by preparing medical teams to sustain operations when traditional assumptions about evacuation no longer apply.
“The Air Task Force is built to operate as an air expeditionary wing in distributed and contested environments,” said Col. Brad Dvorak, 31st ATF commander. “Training medics in Valkyrie strengthens the team’s ability to sustain casualties, preserve the fighting force and maintain operational tempo to enable airpower operations anytime, anywhere.”
The certification event also included Col. Brad Brough, Air Force Special Operations Command command surgeon, reinforcing AFSOC’s commitment to complementary operational medical capabilities that strengthen readiness in contested environments.
Army and Navy instructors helped certify Hurlburt’s program to JTS standards. By qualifying instructors—not simply graduating students—the course expanded the Air Force’s capacity to deliver whole blood training while strengthening interoperability across the Joint Force.
“Every aviator knows fuel keeps aircraft in the fight," said Chief Master Sgt. Joshua J. Moore, 1st SOW command chief. "For medics, whole blood helps keep Airmen in the fight. Valkyrie gives our teams the confidence to save lives in contested environments while giving wounded Airmen the best opportunity to heal, return to duty and continue serving."
“Air Commandos have always operated where conditions are austere and timelines are unforgiving,” said Col. Mark Hamilton, 1st SOW commander. “Valkyrie expands our ability to care for wounded teammates when evacuation is delayed, increasing survivability while preserving the combat capability our Air Commandos provide.”
As the Air Force prepares for distributed operations in contested environments, Hurlburt’s JTS-certified Valkyrie site represents more than a training milestone. It expands the Air Force’s ability to preserve and regenerate the force, ensuring Airmen remain able to Fly, Fix and Fight.