Grissom ARB steps up, kicks off exercise Patriot Medic 2025

Patriot Medic 25 kicked off at Grissom Air Reserve Base on Aug. 6, marking the beginning of an exercise that prepares military medical personnel for deployment.

"Patriot Medic 25 is a comprehensive, hands-on exercise that prepares us to be a robust and ready force capable of providing medical support to the warfighter in contested and high-stress situations," said Senior Master Sgt. Eric Windhom, Air Force Reserve Command medical readiness plans and operations manager.

The exercise simulates a deployed environment, providing airmen with practical, high-pressure scenarios that test their ability to manage critical medical and administrative tasks.

Grissom was originally slated to have a much smaller role in the exercise, but last-minute changes in availability at a different location led exercise planners to seek an alternate training site.

"Initially, we were going to have 60 to 70 people here to operate at the hub. We are now at 220 people or so," said Col. David Borden, 434th Mission Support Group commander.

The proximity to other installations involved in the exercise, combined with the space available, made Grissom ARB an ideal location. "I am excited because I think it showcases what Grissom can provide," Borden said. Various locations around the base will serve as field hospitals and other facilities, and Grissom will operate as a hub for simulated casualty processing.

The 434th Air Refueling Wing at Grissom will have active participants in the exercise, including the 434th Logistics Readiness Squadron and 434th Aerospace Medical Squadron. The 72nd and 74th Air Refueling Squadrons will also be flying medical evacuation missions.

Patriot Medic 25 involves multiple branches of the U.S. military, including the Air Force Reserve, Army Reserve, Navy, and Marine Corps. It also includes international allies such as the United Kingdom and Canada.

"Patriot Medic 25 is not a single organization or medical service, but rather a recurring military training exercise," Windhom said. "It's a large-scale, joint-service exercise that focuses on medical readiness and interoperability."

The 434th ARW is the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command.