In the high-stakes environment of modern conflict, the difference between life and death often hinges on the speed casualties are evacuated from the battlefield to receive surgical intervention. 

With the goal of sharpening medical response, aviators from 1 Expeditionary Health Squadron participated in Exercise Viper Walk from March 22 to 27. 

The large-scale medical exercise served as a rigorous testing ground for agile healthcare delivery domestically and overseas.

Multinational and interservice collaboration and innovation were at the forefront of Viper Walk. 

In a milestone for the ADF, participants integrated a CT scanner into the field hospital workflow during the exercise. The CT scanner, which provides diagnostic capabilities usually reserved for brick-and-mortar facilities, allowed teams closer to the frontlines to identify serious injuries and improve patient outcomes through timely treatment.

In training, to move patients safely through the evacuation chain, white-fleet (civilian) and Bushmaster protected mobility vehicles were used for surface evacuations, while a non-medically configured aircraft – a 32 Squadron KA350 King Air – was used for air evacuation. 

'The biggest lesson I’ll take home is that you can achieve a lot with the right people.'

Commanding Officer 32 Squadron Wing Commander Conan Brett said this training was important in case personnel had to conduct real evacuations.

“The more [training] we've done left of that event, the smoother it's going to go,” Wing Commander Brett said.

Beyond technical innovation, teamwork was essential to maximise efficiency. During the exercise, members from the Australian Army, Navy and Air Force worked alongside personnel from the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) and the United States Pacific Air Forces.

NZDF Lieutenant Issaac Compton said Viper Walk proved that different forces can work together, adjust to different approaches and deliver the same results. 

“Emergency departments are chaotic places and you often have to adapt on the fly,” Lieutenant Compton said. 

“The biggest lesson I’ll take home is that you can achieve a lot with the right people.” 

Executive Officer 1 Expeditionary Health Squadron, Squadron Leader Koryn Roberts, said the high-pressure scenarios brought teams together rapidly. 

“As a blue [Air Force] commander working within a large joint force, you see cultural differences – but the biggest lesson is that they don’t actually matter. With good communication, we integrated quickly and got the mission done,” Squadron Leader Roberts said. 

Through collaboration and innovation, the ADF continues to sharpen the speed and flexibility of its medical response, ensuring that no matter the threat or environment, injured personnel can be moved faster, treated sooner and brought home safely.