AFRL, UC Health unveil $10M Military Trauma Training Facility to bolster medical readiness

  • Published
  • By Air Force Research Laboratory Public Affairs Office

CINCINNATI, Ohio – In a significant move to enhance the readiness of military medical personnel, the Air Force Research Laboratory’s 711th Human Performance Wing and the University of Cincinnati (UC) Health celebrated the grand opening of the expanded Center for Sustainment of Trauma and Readiness Skills (C-STARS) Cincinnati DARRIO Simulation Center on March 11, 2026. The new 30,000-square-foot facility is a testament to the power of partnership to advance medical care and equip service members with the tools they need to succeed and save lives.  

This joint program between the U.S. Air Force and UC Health provides state-of-the-art trauma and critical care training. The expansion, initially funded by a $10-million congressional appropriation, will triple the center's training capacity from 100 to 300 medical teams annually. This investment directly addresses the need to prepare U.S. Air Force medical teams for the complexities of combat zones, humanitarian missions, and civilian emergencies. 

Brig. Gen. Robert K. Bogart, commander of the 711th Human Performance Wing, speaks during the grand opening ceremony for the expanded Center for Sustainment of Trauma and Readiness Skills (C-STARS) Cincinnati DARRIO Simulation Center at University of Cincinnati (UC) Medical Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, March 11, 2026. C-STARS Cincinnati is a joint program between UC Health and the U.S. Air Force that provides advanced trauma and critical care training for military medical personnel. The program’s new 30,000-square-foot facility officially opened, representing the next generation of military trauma training, medical readiness, response and research capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo / Richard Eldridge)

Brig. Gen. Robert K. Bogart, commander of the 711th Human Performance Wing, speaks during the grand opening ceremony for the expanded Center for Sustainment of Trauma and Readiness Skills (C-STARS) Cincinnati DARRIO Simulation Center at University of Cincinnati (UC) Medical Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, March 11, 2026. C-STARS Cincinnati is a joint program between UC Health and the U.S. Air Force that provides advanced trauma and critical care training for military medical personnel. The program’s new 30,000-square-foot facility officially opened, representing the next generation of military trauma training, medical readiness, response and research capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo / Richard Eldridge)
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The strategic importance of the facility and its role in advancing the Department of the Air Force’s priorities is a key focus for its leadership. Commenting on the center’s impact on readiness, Brig. Gen. Jason E. Bartolomei, commander of the Air Force Research Laboratory said, “the need to maintain a strategic advantage is paramount. This facility shows the power of partnership by combining AFRL's cutting-edge training and research with UC Health's real-world clinical expertise to maintain a decisive advantage and advance the best medical outcomes for both our military and civilians.”   

Designed to mirror the realities of modern trauma care, the simulation center includes a command center, advanced training suites, dedicated research space, and an immersive virtual reality environment. These features allow medical personnel to train in scenarios that replicate the high-stress conditions of modern warfare with unparalleled accuracy. 

“This center represents continued innovation to meet the future needs of our force,” said Brig. Gen. Robert K. Bogart, commander of the 711th Human Performance Wing, who spoke at the event. “We must prepare for scenarios with a higher volume of patients and more challenging evacuation conditions. This expanded C-STARS Simulation Center is a proactive response for the future fight.” 

In addition to its advanced training mission, the C-STARS Simulation Center will serve as a national hub for research across the enroute care continuum. This integrated approach will help shape future doctrine, staffing strategies, and capability development, ensuring that evidence-based advances directly enhance warfighter survivability. 

Col. Valerie Sams, director of C-STARS Cincinnati, U.S. Air Force, and trauma surgeon at University of Cincinnati (UC) Medical Center, speaks during the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the expanded Center for Sustainment of Trauma and Readiness Skills (C-STARS) Cincinnati DARRIO Simulation Center at UC Medical Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, March 11, 2026. C-STARS Cincinnati is a joint program between UC Health and the U.S. Air Force that provides advanced trauma and critical care training for military medical personnel. The $10-million facility expansion, funded initially by Congress, prepares U.S. Air Force medical teams to deliver lifesaving care in combat zones, humanitarian missions and complex civilian emergencies. (U.S. Air Force photo / Richard Eldridge)

Col. Valerie Sams, director of C-STARS Cincinnati, U.S. Air Force, and trauma surgeon at University of Cincinnati (UC) Medical Center, speaks during the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the expanded Center for Sustainment of Trauma and Readiness Skills (C-STARS) Cincinnati DARRIO Simulation Center at UC Medical Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, March 11, 2026. C-STARS Cincinnati is a joint program between UC Health and the U.S. Air Force that provides advanced trauma and critical care training for military medical personnel. The $10-million facility expansion, funded initially by Congress, prepares U.S. Air Force medical teams to deliver lifesaving care in combat zones, humanitarian missions and complex civilian emergencies. (U.S. Air Force photo / Richard Eldridge)
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“This facility allows us to replicate those high-stress conditions with unparalleled accuracy," said Col. Valerie Sams, MD, director of C-STARS Cincinnati, U.S. Air Force, and trauma surgeon at UC Medical Center. “We are setting high standards for readiness, response and resilience.”  

During the opening ceremony, leaders from UC Health and the community spoke about the center's vital role. They highlighted its potential as a future disaster response location and its joint mission to advance lifesaving trauma care through research and education. 

"Every time we step into this simulation center, we’re reminded that our research isn’t about equipment — it’s about saving lives," said Jim Lehman, the UC Medical research site lead for the enroute care section at AFRL Human Effectiveness. "If our work helps medics bring one more service member home safely, then every hour spent here is worth it." 

Established in 2002, C-STARS Cincinnati has trained more than 5,000 Air Force medical professionals, strengthening both military medical readiness and emergency preparedness across the Greater Cincinnati region and beyond. 

The 711th Human Performance Wing, part of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) held a grand opening ceremony for the expanded Center for Sustainment of Trauma and Readiness Skills (C-STARS) Cincinnati DARRIO Simulation Center at University of Cincinnati (UC) Medical Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, March 11, 2026. C-STARS Cincinnati is a joint program between UC Health and the U.S. Air Force that provides advanced trauma and critical care training for military medical personnel. The program’s new 30,000-square-foot facility officially opened, representing the next generation of military trauma training, medical readiness, response and research capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ryan Law)

The 711th Human Performance Wing, part of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) held a grand opening ceremony for the expanded Center for Sustainment of Trauma and Readiness Skills (C-STARS) Cincinnati DARRIO Simulation Center at University of Cincinnati (UC) Medical Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, March 11, 2026. C-STARS Cincinnati is a joint program between UC Health and the U.S. Air Force that provides advanced trauma and critical care training for military medical personnel. The program’s new 30,000-square-foot facility officially opened, representing the next generation of military trauma training, medical readiness, response and research capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ryan Law)
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About AFRL  

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) is the Department of the Air Force’s primary scientific research and development center and one of six centers within Air Force Materiel Command. AFRL plays an integral role in leading the discovery, development and integration of affordable warfighting technologies for our air, space and cyberspace forces. With a workforce spanning across nine technology areas and 40 other operations around the globe, AFRL provides a diverse portfolio of science and technology ranging from fundamental to advanced research and technology development. For more information, visit afresearchlab.com.  
 

AFRL’s Human Effectiveness Directorate is part of the 711th Human Performance Wing, a unique combination of two mission units. While the Human Effectiveness Directorate is science- and technology-focused, the U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine is a center for aerospace medical learning, consultation, medical investigations and aircrew health assessments. This synergy of research and development with aerospace medical expertise helps ensure Airmen and Guardians are available, ready and performing at their peak.