Total Force Medevac Training: Air Force Reservists Join Army OPERATION DUSTOFF VIGILANCE 2025

Published July 23, 2025
By Master Sgt. Jacob Lewis and Mr. Julian Hernandez
433rd Airlift Wing

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-CAMP BULLIS, Texas --

More than 100 personnel from across the Total Force participated in OPERATION DUSTOFF VIGILANCE 2025, a Texas Army National Guard-led personnel recovery, survival, evasion, resistance, and escape, and medical evacuation aircrew training event held here July 16.

The mission centered on UH-60 Black Hawk operations and offered realistic medevac and aircrew training for Texas Army National Guard flight crews. It also brought together a wide range of joint mission partners, including Air Force Reserve Citizen Airmen from the 26th and 74th Aerial Port Squadrons—both part of the 433rd Airlift Wing—along with Airmen and Soldiers from the 802nd Security Forces Squadron, 502nd Force Support Group, 343rd Training Squadron, 902nd Civil Engineer Squadron. Mr. Kjäll Gopaul, the DoD’s senior civilian Pathfinder, coordinated both the participation of ground forces and helicopter landing zone operations. Highlighting the joint nature of the mission, he said, “Warfare requires the flexible integration of all services to achieve desired effects. This successful exercise sustains our critical warfighting capabilities and clearly demonstrates how multi-service cooperation is a powerful Total Force combat multiplier.” The Combat Medic Training Program, under the U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, also contributed key personnel.

Kjäll Gopaul, Department of Defense senior civilian pathfinder, directs U.S. Air Force personnel during simulated medical evacuation procedures for OPERATION DUSTOFF VIGILANCE ’25 at Joint Base San Antonio-Camp Bullis, Texas, July 16, 2025. OPERATION DUSTOFF VIGILANCE '25 served as a crucial exercise to enhance interoperability between Air Force Reserve aerial port specialists and Army aviation units in a simulated medevac scenario. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jacob Lewis)

For Reserve aerial porters, the exercise provided a rare opportunity to hone warrior skills such as casualty litter carries, medevac procedures, and operating in and around active rotary-wing aircraft, all under real-world joint conditions.

“We need to exercise that muscle,” said Texas Army National Guard Chief Warrant Officer 3 Andrew Kinh, Aviation Mission Survivability Officer for Charlie Company, 2nd General Support Aviation Battalion, 36th Combat Aviation Brigade, and one of the lead planners for the exercise. “Getting everybody involved and seeing how each other operates... and even just learning the different verbiage we use... is essential. This gives us exposure to how we work together and lets us work out the kinks.”

Kinh compared the experience to forming an effective aircrew: “You may have four people flying together, but they’re not really an aircrew until they’ve trained and worked through their different little isms.”

The 26th Aerial Port Squadron contributed 13 Citizen Airmen, and the 74th APS provided another 7. For many of them, the exercise was their first joint-service field training environment outside of a typical unit training assembly.

Texas Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Joseph Zabbatino, an instructor with the combat medic training program, 232nd Medical Battalion, 32nd Medical Brigade, Medical Center of Excellence, briefs U.S. Air Force personnel from the 74th and 26th Aerial Port Squadron in preparation to board a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter for OPERATION DUSTOFF VIGILANCE ’25, at Martindale Army Airfield, Texas, July 16, 2025. OPERATION DUSTOFF VIGILANCE '25 provided as a crucial exercise to enhance interoperability between Air Force Reserve aerial port specialists and Army aviation units in a simulated medevac scenario. (U.S. Air Force photo by Julian Hernandez)

“This is one of the first opportunities I’ve had to train with my team since returning from Officer Training School,” said U.S. Air Force 2nd Lt. Shanna Smith, Passenger Operations Flight officer in charge for the 26th APS. “It’s been a great day... observing on the ground, flying in the air, and seeing firsthand what our team is working on.”

Smith highlighted the unique value of hands-on, joint training that goes beyond classroom simulation.

“As traditional reservists, we don’t always get the chance to do real-world training like this,” she said. “Being out here alongside active-duty members and other branches gives us a chance to really integrate and take advantage of longer training timelines than we get during a UTA weekend.”

"In today's Air Force, aerial porters are not just loading planes," said Master Sgt. Thea Lau, 26th APS Readiness and Resources flight chief. "We're multi-capable Airmen ready to integrate into any strategic environment, supporting joint forces in diverse operations." During the exercise, Lau received exciting news: her promotion to Senior Master Sergeant, a testament to her leadership and dedication. The sentiment of adaptability and readiness was echoed throughout the ranks, including by those newer to the aerial port career field.

"My law enforcement background instilled in me the importance of safety, a value that's amplified in my Air Force training," said Senior Airman John Hall, 26th Aerial Port Squadron. "Combining these skills allows me to approach any situation, even in a new environment, with a focus on saving lives and ensuring everyone goes home safe."

Senior Airman John Hall, center left, 26th Aerial Port Squadron aerial port specialist, helps with a litter carry alongside fellow Airmen during a simulated Army medevac during OPERATION DUSTOFF VIGILANCE ’25 at Joint Base San Antonio-Camp Bullis, Texas, July 16, 2025. Hall’s participation in exercise OPERATION DUSTOFF VIGILANCE '25 exemplifies the Air Force's emphasis on developing mission ready Airmen prepared to support diverse joint operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jacob Lewis)

Master Sgt. Thea Lau, 26th Aerial Port Squadron Readiness and Resources flight chief, leads her Airmen in a simulated Army medevac during OPERATION DUSTOFF VIGILANCE ’25 at Joint Base San Antonio-Camp Bullis, Texas, July 16, 2025. Lau’s participation in exercise OPERATION DUSTOFF VIGILANCE '25 exemplifies the Air Force's emphasis on developing mission ready Airmen prepared to support diverse joint operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jacob Lewis

As one of the lead exercise planners, Kinh emphasized how the joint environment enhanced readiness across the board. “It allowed me to see how you guys [in the Air Force] operate. It gave me a better picture of your capabilities, and it gave you a chance to see what we can do. That just makes us a better, more cohesive unit.”

Exercises like OPERATION DUSTOFF VIGILANCE serve as critical readiness accelerators for Air Force Reservists, giving Citizen Airmen the chance to sharpen their lethality and mission focus in a joint environment. These opportunities ensure they are “Ready Now” to respond to any mission they’re called to perform.

Equally important, seeking joint training alongside active-duty and inter-service partners is a cornerstone of how Air Force Reservists are transforming for the future, preparing for seamless integration within the Total Force to meet the evolving demands of today’s new strategic environment.

“We couldn’t have done this without the support of our senior NCOs and leadership,” Smith said. “On the 26th and 74th APS side, Master Sgt. Lau and others made today’s logistics happen.”

U.S. Air Force personnel from the 74th and 26th Aerial Port Squadron pose for a group photo beside a Texas Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter during Operation Dustoff Vigilance ’25, at Martindale Army Airfield, Texas, July 16, 2025. OPERATION DUSTOFF VIGILANCE '25 provided as a crucial exercise to enhance interoperability between Air Force Reserve aerial port specialists and Army aviation units in a simulated medevac scenario. (U.S. Air Force photo by Julian Hernandez)

Master Sgt. Thea Lau, 26th Aerial Port Squadron Readiness and Resources flight chief, and Tech. Sgt. Tamekia Alston, 74th Aerial Port Squadron unit deployment manager holds up their respective unit flags while their fellow Airmen trained in a simulated Army medevac during OPERATION DUSTOFF VIGILANCE ’25 at Joint Base San Antonio-Camp Bullis, Texas, July 16, 2025. OPERATION DUSTOFF VIGILANCE '25 served as a crucial exercise to enhance interoperability between Air Force Reserve aerial port specialists and Army aviation units in a simulated medevac scenario. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jacob Lewis)