Nellis Air Force Medical Staff Train at Las Vegas Hospital

Military personnel work at University Medical Center to hone trauma skills for combat-related injury response.

Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Military Jobs

A modern, brightly lit hospital trauma bay with ceiling-mounted surgical lights and sterile medical equipment, representing high-stakes trauma training. — Medical staff from Nellis Air Force Base are completing trauma training rotations at University Medical Center in Las Vegas to maintain combat-readiness skills. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should local hospitals partner with the military to help address regional healthcare staffing shortages?

Medical staff from Nellis Air Force Base are gaining essential trauma experience by working rotations at University Medical Center in Las Vegas. This partnership helps personnel prepare for managing combat-related injuries, including gunshot and burn wounds.

Why it matters

The program addresses a critical need for military medical staff to gain high-stakes trauma experience that mimics conditions in active combat zones. It also supports University Medical Center by providing additional capacity for a facility that faces ongoing staffing shortages.

On any given day, approximately 75 to 100 Nellis Air Force Base medical staff members work at the Level 1 Trauma Center. This collaboration provides critical experience for teams who must manage care at altitudes of 30,000 feet.

The players

Nellis Air Force Base

This installation serves as the primary training ground and home base for the medical personnel involved in the clinical rotations.

University Medical Center

Located in Las Vegas, this facility maintains the largest military-civilian medical partnership in the United States.

Col. Dallas Hansen

He is an experienced officer who conducted medical evacuation missions in Afghanistan.

The details

Military teams integrate into the civilian hospital to treat injuries similar to those encountered in war, such as uncontrolled hemorrhage, which is the leading cause of preventable combat death. Specialized Critical Care Air Transport teams also utilize this experience to maintain proficiency in providing continuous intensive care to patients during cargo aircraft flights.

Col. Dallas Hansen flew medical missions in Afghanistan in 2018.
Dr. Rosas and SSgt. Byrd flew into Middle East zones during the winter of 2025-2026.

Market Landscape

The integration of military medical teams into civilian hospitals follows the operational patterns established during the 2018 Afghanistan medical transport missions. This model creates a symbiotic infrastructure that bridges the gap between military readiness requirements and civilian healthcare demand.

Patients at University Medical Center benefit from the additional clinical support provided by highly trained military medical professionals. This partnership helps maintain essential trauma capacity for local residents while preparing teams for rapid deployment to international conflict zones.

The takeaway

Maintaining civilian partnerships is a vital strategy for military branches to ensure their medical staff remain proficient in high-acuity trauma care. Healthcare providers in other regions may look to this model as a way to address staffing shortages while enhancing emergency response capabilities.