NATO Partners Enhance Medical Readiness in Europe

The United States Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa Office of the Command Surgeon hosted European Role 1 Development week with NATO and allied partners to foster multilateral training skills and practices at Ramstein Air Base from 16-20 September.

The European Role 1 Development week is medical engagement training essential to highlighting the differences of nations and how all nations can better prepare themselves to work effectively as a unified effort. Ramstein AB looks to bolster its relationships with its allied partners by providing humanitarian relief to real world battlefield scenarios.

“With Ramstein (AB) being an allied hub, it is perfect for forces to come together and meet, share medical knowledge, and be familiar with the same types of equipment,” said U.S. Air Force Maj. Lyubomir Angelov, USAFE-AFAFRICA international health specialist. “We try to improvise and align orientation to the equipment used here to support our allied nations medical practices.”

The U.S. Armed Forces look to familiarize allied nations with a variety of efficient capabilities and equipment such as interactive mannequins. Understanding that not all nations have the same resources or practices, Ramstein provides instruction, practical exercises and interoperable field engagements to bolster medical skills to foster knowledge sharing among participants.

“This is the first of a kind engagement that not only builds partner nation capacity, but it also strengthens our already established relationship with key nations who collectively will play a fundamental role in bolstering security across Europe,” said Lt. Col. Joel Foster, USAFE-AFAFRICA chief of Global Health Engagements Branch in the Office of the Command Surgeon. Preparing everyone for a more unified front will greatly improve mission readiness when responding to natural disasters or joint-combined mission responses.

“I saw some new equipment throughout the course, and learned a lot of new practices that I will share with my medical colleagues,” said Staff Sgt. Tibor Jenco, Slovakian service member. “It was a very good experience, and I look forward to collaborating with these nations from NATO in the future.”

The European Role 1 Development exercise strengthened cooperation and medical readiness among NATO and allied partners. Ramstein AB wants to provide training that ensures participants are better equipped to face future challenges and hopes that participants will share what they have learned amongst their own allies and partners, creating a powerful foundation of shared knowledge, skills, and abilities.