Laughlin Medical Group hosts first Air Force iCOVER exercise
That’s why iCOVER was introduced: to ensure Airmen are prepared to recognize when a wingman is struggling and help them get the support they need to finish the mission. Now required for deployers and medical personnel, Airmen are trained to provide immediate peer-to-peer support when it matters most.
The Laughlin Medical Group was the first Air Force medical facility to host an exercise focused on iCOVER procedures Sept. 17, 2026.
During the exercise, Airmen learned the iCOVER framework and applied it hands-on directly in a simulated high-stress scenario.
“iCOVER is a critical, peer-to-peer warfighter skillset; essentially "buddy aid" for acute stress, and not a clinical mental health program,” said U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Caroline Hensley, Laughlin Medical Group executive assistant. “It’s a super easy, six-step technique that anyone can use, completed in 60 seconds.”
The technique was developed and trialed by the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research and has been used by militaries in other countries and U.S. Special Forces.
In March 2026, the U.S. Air Force and Space Force Surgeon General expanded iCOVER requirements to deployers and medical personnel after the Air Force identified an increase in aeromedical evacuations related to mental health.
Following the directive, the Laughlin Medical Group began preparing to introduce the expanded requirement at the local level.
“We need more resilient Airmen and we need to give our Airmen the tools to help each other,” said Hensley. “iCOVER gives our Airmen the tools to respond in the complex and ambiguous environments we train for.”
During the exercise, Airmen were placed in a simulated combat scenario where they were required to perform both Tactical Combat Casualty Care and iCOVER procedures. Participants were evaluated on their performance and response time.
The six-step technique begins with identifying a buddy in need, followed by connecting with their buddy, offering their commitment, verifying facts about the situation, establishing the order of events and finally requesting a specific, mission-related action.
“We wanted to ensure members experienced and practiced the scenario as they would in an actual combat scenario,” said Tech. Sgt. Sharome Stafford, Laughlin Operational Medical Readiness SquadronAlcohol and Drug Abuse PreventionNCOIC. “Getting members to see that live in the exercise, they were able to learn and apply it.”
After completing the scenario, Airmen practiced relaxation techniques while receiving feedback on their performance.
“It was important for us to educate people on the importance of taking care of your own mental health after a stressful situation,” said Hensley. “A lot of times those effects of a stressful situation or an acute stress reaction may show up later.”
The Laughlin Medical Group also hosted a Mental Health Symposium running concurrent with the exercise, which was available to participants waiting for their designated training time as well as other members of the Laughlin community.
The symposium featured booths where personnel could learn about mental health techniques, available resources and suicide prevention.
Helping agencies from across the installation and local community, including the Operational Support Team, Chaplains, Mental Health, Family Advocacy, ADAPT, Sexual Assault & Suicide Prevention, Military and Family Readiness Center, West Texas Counseling, Baptist Child and Family Services, and Military and Family Life Counselingprovided information and demonstrations during the symposium, along with interactive games and prizes.
“It’s about making mental health accessible to people, making it more normal and trying to turn it into a warfighter skillset,” said Hensley. “It's kind of like hygiene, or taking care of your brain.”
While iCOVER is still in early development, trainers said the event was a success and expressed interest in conducting additional exercises in the future to further familiarize Airmen with the expanded requirement.
As the Department of the Air Force rolls out the expanded iCOVER requirements across the force, Laughlin leads the way in ensuring our Airmen are resilient and ready for the fight.
“We have a great team and we have the structure for it now,” said Hensley. “As this program continues to be rolled out, there will be more hands-on practice with iCOVER.”
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