APRIL 3, 2026 – As hurricane-force winds and torrential rains subsided during a simulated exercise this week, the U.S. Army Veterinary Readiness Activity (VRA) Fort Bragg faced a worst-case scenario: a total power outage at their Role 3 Veterinary Treatment Facility (VTF) and a Military Working Dog (MWD) in critical condition.
The exercise, a vital component of the Installation Health Support Plan, tested the seamless integration between the Womack Army Medical Center (WAMC) Emergency Department (ED) and the Fort Bragg Veterinary Branch.
For Lt. Col Kimi Damassia-Rhoades, Commander, VRA Fort Bragg, the exercise was more than just a simulation; it was about reviewing protocols for MWD emergencies. “By simulating a real-world hurricane hit, we are testing our reliance on stakeholders across the installation to ensure our protocols are up to date,” Damassia-Rhoades noted…