News 12 at 11 o'clock, June 16, 2008

AUGUSTA, Ga.---You might not even realize it, but Augusta was right in the center of a major military training exercise over the weekend. It's called Operation Global Medic, and it could be a lifesaver for every man and woman serving in our armed forces.

For the simulation, tents were filled with mannequins representing wounded soldiers fresh from the battlefield. The idea is that the soldiers might survive if they can get help within the hour.

"We're just the short-term stop for these folks," said Col. Thomas Kirkendall, U.S. Air Force Reserve. "To make sure they're stabilized for the flight."

They're out of harm's way, and not even halfway home. But help is on the way. Appearing out of a hazy blue sky comes a mission of mercy on a massive scale. For an injured soldier, the huge C-17 is a welcome sight, dwarfing everything else at Bush Field.

"And then we would air-evac them out of here to Ramstein (AFB, Germany). Charleston is acting as Ram. Either put them into a hospital there or take them out to the USS Comfort," Col. Kirkendall said.

The USS Comfort, a hospital ship, is waiting offshore. It's the final stop in this training exercise, and it takes tremendous teamwork to get the wounded soldiers there.

"The main importance is getting the Army and the Air Force to work together," Col. Kirkendall said. And you can add the Navy in there too. Just the kind of cooperation that's needed when an American life is on the line.

"We are training the future leaders of the medical system for the military," said Col. Kirkendall.

Operation Global Medic takes the soldier from the battlefield--or Fort Gordon, in this case--to Charleston, which is playing the role of Ramstein AFB, Germany. It's the largest training exercise of its kind, with more than 2500 soldiers, sailors, and airmen.

The only way any of us knew it was even going on were those massive planes, the C-17s. We don't get to see them in the air around here very often, and they really are impressive. They can carry troops, helicopters, and even tanks, anywhere in the world.