Emi Zamler, applies moulage to both Israeli and U.S. service members for a mass casualty scenario in Israel during Juniper Cobra 16, March 1, 2016. A simulated rocket attack that injured 20 U.S. and Israeli service members riding on a bus gave U.S. a...

An Israeli Defense Forces medic responds to a mass casualty scenario during exercise Juniper Cobra 16 in Israel, March 1, 2016. A simulated rocket hit a bus carrying approximately 20 U.S. and Israeli service members. U.S. and Israeli military and civ...

U.S. Army Spc. Antonio Castillo, 421st Multifunction Medical Battalion combat medic, treats a mock open chest wound during a mass casualty scenario during exercise Juniper Cobra 16 in Israel, March 1, 2016. U.S. and Israeli military and civilian firs...

Israeli Defense Force police react to a simulated mass casualty scene and help carry patients out of the area during exercise Juniper Cobra 16 in Israel, March 1, 2016. A simulated rocket hit a bus carrying approximately 20 U.S. and Israeli service m...

U.S. and Israeli Defense Force medics treat a patient before evacuation during a simulated rocket attack that injured 20 U.S. and Israeli service members riding on a bus during exercise Juniper Cobra 16 in Israel, March 1, 2016. U.S. and Israeli mili...

U.S. and Israeli first responders assist a mock patient during a simulated rocket attack that injured 20 U.S. and Israeli service members riding a bus during exercise Juniper Cobra 16 in Israel, March 1, 2016. U.S. and Israeli military and civilian f...

Israeli first responders prepare a mock patient for evacuation during a simulated rocket attack that injured 20 U.S. and Israeli service members riding a bus during exercise Juniper Cobra 16 in Israel, March 1, 2016. U.S. and Israeli military and civ...

Israeli first responders prepare a mock patient for evacuation during a simulated rocket attack that injured 20 U.S. and Israeli service members riding a bus during exercise Juniper Cobra 16 in Israel, March 1, 2016. U.S. and Israeli military and civ...

Finger prints are taken from a mock deceased service member in Israel during exercise Juniper Cobra 16, March 1, 2016. A simulated rocket attack created a mass casualty of 20 U.S. and Israeli service members riding a bus. U.S. and Israeli military an...

ISRAEL-- U.S. and Israeli Defense Force first responders completed a simulated mass casualty exercise March 1, in conjunction with the ballistic missile defense exercise Juniper Cobra 16.

"U.S. forces and the IDF have been planning a medical scenario for a year and a half to support Juniper Cobra 16," said U.S. Army Lt. Col. John Pearson, U.S. European Command chief of medical plans and operations." It involved treating, evacuating and tracking the patients once they are admitted to an Israeli civilian medical facility."

In the scenario, a bus carrying both U.S. and IDF members was hit by a rocket, injuring approximately 20 participants causing a mass casualty incident.

"Once I received the phone call from the Israeli doctor, we came to the scene," said U.S. Army Capt. Christopher Smith, 30th Medical Brigade physician assistant. "The scene was very chaotic, as with any mass casualty event, but once on site I linked up with my Israeli counterpart Dr. Yana. We were provided instructions on where to start treating casualties."

Multiple first responders, including the IDF responded to the scene to assist in the mass casualty incident.

"We had three forces here; ours, MDA [Magen David Adom], which is an Israeli civilian organization, and American forces physician and medics," said Israeli Dr. (Maj.) Yana Shuldenfry, medical facility commander.

The objective of the mass casualty scenario was to track the progress from JC14, and for the first-time ever transport U.S. service members to civilian hospitals.

"We've seen significant improvements, we had early response medical units arrive very quickly after notification of the incident," explained Pearson. "They triage the patients and evacuated them to the appropriate Israeli medical facilities."

The scenario not only tested the U.S. and Israeli medics on their abilities but was an opportunity for the forces to learn each other's techniques and expand on their military relationship.

"It was the first time we've worked with Americans; we reached out to them before the scenario," said Shuldenfry. "We wanted to get to know them and familiarize ourselves with their medical abilities. They taught us so much about their capabilities and showed us their equipment. It was really amazing!"

The rapport that was developed before the scenario proved to be a success during the exercise.

"Unlike the Israeli medics, my medics are able to operate independently without a provider and make the appropriate onsite decisions to save a life," Smith explained. "By doing that we were able to incorporate Israeli medics and provide medical assistance together."

"Their medics can do things that my medics are not allowed, like intubations and other procedures, that only an Israeli doctor can do. It was amazing to see that," Shuldenfry added.

According to Pearson, the scenario expanded on the longstanding military relationship.

"While this is primary a ballistic missile defense exercise, we were able to integrate a lot of other events, like this medical exercise, into the big picture to ensure our medical support plan is synced with Israeli Defense Forces," said Pearson.

Both Smith and Shuldenfry agreed that the medical portion of the exercises is important to keep in future JC exercises and already have ideas on how to make it better and to further their partnership.

"I find it very important that were able to work together, understand each other's capabilities and develop a strong partnership so that we can have a smooth process when responding to any medical situation," said Smith.

"In future JC's, the medical scenario is a must, because if something like this happens for real you'll need all the medical help you can get. If we familiarize ourselves now, it will make it easier and more effective. If it happens, we 'll have a plan," Shuldenfry concluded.

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