VA Southern Nevada Launches Operation Nourishing Courage Drill

Planes Land, Buses Line Up: Nevada Prepares for the Worst

On November 4, 2026, the VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System (VASNHS) launched “Operation Nourishing Courage.” This was no simple tabletop exercise. It was a live, full-scale drill. The scene was stark: planes landing, carrying patients from a crisis zone. Buses idled, ready to transport them to hospitals with open beds. The exercise, as VASNHS reported, was a test of the region’s ability to handle a national disaster.

A Coalition Mobilizes for a Simulated Catastrophe

This drill was different because of who participated. It wasn’t just the VA. The event involved Nellis Air Force Base, local community hospitals, emergency medical services, and emergency management partners from across Clark County. Their mission was clear. They had to prove they could receive, assess, track, and transport patients during a simulated emergency. The coordination spanned federal, military, state, and local levels, all working in concert to prevent chaos.

The Federal Nerve Center Goes Live

The operation’s core was the Southern Nevada Federal Coordinating Center. This is the regional hub for the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS), a federal program designed to surge medical care during disasters. The drill put this system to the ultimate test. It focused on patient reception capabilities. Think of it as a dress rehearsal for the worst-case scenario. The goal was simple: ensure that paperwork, communications, and logistics work when every second counts.

Participating organizations did more than watch. They actively practiced the entire patient care continuum. This included hospital capacity reporting—figuring out which facilities had beds and staff. It meant setting up reception sites to triage incoming patients. And it required tracking those patients as they moved to the right hospitals for their specific needs. The entire process was a complex dance between dozens of agencies.

Success Measured in Coordination

A key measure of success for "Operation Nourishing Courage" was the smooth interaction between civilian hospitals, a major military base, and a host of emergency responders. The exercise validated the standard operating procedures for receiving a wave of patients. It confirmed the ability to quickly assess their conditions, track their movement, and transport them efficiently.

The drill also reinforced a less tangible but equally critical element: situational awareness. The exercise ensured that information flowed effectively among all partners. This prevented dangerous communication gaps that could lead to delays or mistakes in patient care.

“Operation Nourishing Courage reflects VA’s commitment to its Fourth Mission: supporting the nation during emergencies and disasters,” said Dr. Felix Acevedo, VASNHS Emergency Management Program Manager. “By bringing together diverse partners in a realistic training environment, the exercise strengthened regional preparedness and ensured greater readiness to protect Veterans, military personnel, and the broader community when called upon.”

This “Fourth Mission” is a core part of the VA’s mandate.