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Mistress of moulage: Injecting a dose of realism in base exercises

  • Published
  • By Mike W. Ray
  • Tinker Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Whenever Tinker officials need to inject realism in a training exercise by simulating injuries, they have no need to summon a special-effects artist from Hollywood. They just pick up a phone and call Asuncion "Sunny" Schones, a medical support assistant in the 72nd Medical Group pediatric unit.

For at least 15 years, Ms. Schones has been Tinker's "mistress of moulage," fabricating wounds that look like the real thing. From glass shards, metal fragments and wood splinters to shrapnel, gunshot wounds, compound fractures, impalements, amputations, gastrointestinal trauma, bruises, radiation burns, lacerations and abrasions, Ms. Schones has created them all.

Her tools for Tinker's annual tornado exercise Feb. 15 consisted of double-sided adhesive tape, condoms, putty, clay, latex, pliable sun visors, flesh-tone makeup, and "zesty mint-flavor" water-soluble stage blood. She was assisted this year by her daughter, Anna Bennifield; her daughter-in-law, Nichole Schones; and Charlene Smith, all of the 72nd Medical Support Squadron and all of whom learned the moulage trade from her.

Ms. Schones, who has worked at Tinker AFB for almost 22 years, began her sideline as a volunteer patient for base exercises, but eventually transitioned to make-up artist.

Initially she taught herself how to re-create medical mayhem, but perfected her skills during a 32-hour moulage class in 2002 that was underwritten by the Air Force. She also attended a five-day advanced course on injury simulation that was held in Reno, Nev., in 2006.

Today she does "a lot of this type of work" for the 3rd Combat Communications Group, which conducts exercises several times a year at the Glenwood training area. Similarly, she worked a six-hour explosion and shooting exercise at the University of Oklahoma in 2007. Also, she is a member of Oklahoma's Emergency Medical Service Authority moulage team that serves the Lawton, Tulsa and Oklahoma City areas.

Ironically, Ms. Schones -- who produces some rather graphic, gruesome and grotesque wounds -- says she cannot watch horror movies.

Moulage is serious business to Ms. Schones. Her art form is essential because first responders need to be familiar with the appearance and treatment of severe injuries, she said. "I want to prepare these Airmen to respond appropriately to the kinds of things they may encounter in combat." That was especially the case when her youngest son was in the Army and was stationed in Iraq. "These guys could be taking care of my son," she said at the time.

Ms. Schones is married to a Marine and is the mother of four. Her oldest son and youngest daughter both serve in the Marine Corps.