FORT HOOD, Texas – The 1st Medical Brigade is conducting a major training exercise, dubbed “Operation Silver Lightning,” from March 23 to April 1 at Fort Hood training areas. Media are invited to observe the training from noon to 4 p.m. March 30.

The exercise is designed to simulate the challenges of providing advanced medical care in a contested large-scale combat environment.

During the exercise, the 1st Medical Brigade will employ the tactical arm of the Army Health System within a subterranean facility and across an urban environment to hone capabilities in several key areas, including unit defense, casualty medical treatment, forward resuscitative surgical care, medical/casualty evacuation and medical logistics.

This training aligns with the III Armored Corps’ focus on accelerating innovation and modernization across its formations.

“Training at Fort Hood enables 1st Medical Brigade to validate how Army Medicine must transform to support the future fight,” said Col. Werner Barden, 1st Medical Brigade commander. “Aligned with the Army Surgeon General, III Armored Corps and USAREUR-AF commanding generals’ priorities, we are providing a more agile, relevant and capable medical force to sustain combat power and enable III Armored Corps to fight and win, whenever and wherever our nation needs us.”

The exercise will enhance the brigade’s ability to adapt to a changing operational environment, sustain forces by integrating lessons learned from current global conflicts and ensure their ability to provide continuity of care across today’s complex battlefields.

Media interested in covering the event must call 254-449-5298 by 3 p.m. March 27. A public affairs representative will escort media from the southside parking lot of the Marvin Leath Visitors Welcome Center at 11 a.m. March 30 to the training site.