Multi-national visitors 'check up' on MEDCEUR

  • Published
  • By U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Denise Johnson
  • Medical Training Exercise in Central and Eastern Europe Public Affairs
DIVULJE, Croatia --  More than 60 multi-national visitors from 29 nations toured the 2008 Medical Training Exercise in Central and Eastern Europe (MEDCEUR) for Distinguished Visitor's Day here May 12.

MEDCEUR is a Joint Chiefs of Staff regional/multilateral exercise sponsored by U.S. European Command running from May 2 through 14. Croatia is hosting the 2008 exercise which has drawn more than 300 multi-nationals from 15 countries in support of the Partnership for Peace (PfP) initiative.

The visitors came to Croatia to gain a better understanding of what their delegations were learning and sharing during the two-week exercise. The first week focused on classroom and hands-on training while the following week allowed for practical application during a simulated natural-disaster scenario.

"It's obvious each nation put a tremendous amount of effort into this exercise. The combined collaboration gained in an exercise of this magnitude is truly a force multiplier on the humanitarian-response front," said U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Rod Bishop. Bishop is the 3rd Air Force commander visiting from his headquarters at Ramstein Air Base, Germany.

Republic of Croatia's Minister of Defense Branko Vukelic and Deputy of General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces Lt. Gen. Slavko Baric led the tour as they made their way from a short presentation to the scene of an all-out mass-casualty exercise.

The visitors were escorted through the melee of a simulated earthquake scene. On-scene medics responded to a wooded area to assess moulage victims before being loaded on stretchers.

U.S. Air Force Col. Angela Thomspon, 458th Expeditionary Medical Squadron commander, narrated an overview of the events, planning and logistics, while the spectators continued their walking tour amid wailing emergency vehicles. Thompson is deployed here from her position as the 435th Medical Group commander at Ramstein Air Base, Germany.

The tour continued through field hospitals staffed with multi-national medical teams dealing with an onslaught of patients. Rescue helicopters and vehicles continuously raced to and from the "moulage scene" transporting 150 patients throughout the day.

This is the first time Croatia has hosted an exercise of this kind.

Vukelic said he was impressed with the teamwork between the nations and proud of his country's opportunity to host this year's exercise. "This type of exercise is particularly important to Croatia in light of the fact we are collaborating more and more with PfP nations and our allies," he said. "The main task of the Republic of Croatian Armed Forces is to respond to a natural disaster or emergency in this region. This exercise is absolutely necessary to collaborate and work together with our allies."

This was Thompson's first opportunity to be the lead medical officer for MEDCEUR. "This has been an exceptional experience for all of us," she said.

Three and a half hours after the tour began, the attendees left the MEDCEUR training site.

"I think they will all remember this day for a long time," said MEDCEUR Exercise Director, Col. Kevin Ross. "Ten days ago we spoke of building partnerships and friendships at the opening day ceremony; I can honestly say we've done that. Today I think our guests felt that kinship."