Joint Exercise Strengthens Force Protection in Contested Environments

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. — U.S. Air Force medical professionals strengthened joint readiness Aug. 24–27, 2026, during a joint Field Training Exer… JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. — U.S. Air Force medical professionals strengthened joint readiness Aug. 24–27, 2026, during a joint Field Training Exercise focused on identifying environmental and occupational health hazards before establishing forward operating bases. The exercise brought together the Air Force’s 62nd Medical Squadron Preventive Medicine Flight, the Army’s 657th Forward Support Company and the 5th Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment (Long Range Fires Battalion). This collaborative training exercise was designed to validate convoy protection operations and refine tactical procedures in preparation for future operational missions. By validating company-level tactical standing operating procedures and improving synchronized execution in a contested environment, the training directly developed joint unit readiness.

During the exercise, preventive medicine personnel partnered with Army planners to develop conceptual site models. These models were designed to provide a structured picture of potential health threats at proposed operating locations. "Traditionally, medical teams assess a location after the footprint is already established," said Col. John Hatfield, commander of the 62nd Medical Squadron. "This joint exercise flips that script. Developing conceptual site models alongside our Army counterparts allows us to build force health protection directly into the operational plan from day one, ensuring our troops are stepping into