NATO allied medics come together to participate in multilateral training engagement

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Mario Leonmiti, left, 512th Field Hospital emergency room platoon sergeant, demonstrates a wound packing method to Bulgarian medics at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Sept. 16, 2024. Bulgarian medical specialists explained ways their forces were taught to improvise in battlefield scenarios if they lack the necessary resources. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Dylan Myers)

The United States Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa Office of the Command Surgeon hosted a medical engagement with NATO and allied partners to foster multilateral training skills and practices at Ramstein Air Base, Sep. 16-20.

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

“With Ramstein 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.”

Participants of the European Role 1 Development week practice wrapping a junctional tourniquet at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Sept. 16, 2024. This engagement advanced the mission of enhanced cooperation between international military medical teams from Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Slovakia, reinforcing their shared ability to provide critical care during future joint-combined operations. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st. Class Dylan Myers)

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.

Services members from Montenegro and Bosnia apply a tourniquet during the European Role 1 Development week at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Sept. 16, 2024. This engagement advanced the mission of enhanced cooperation between international military medical teams from Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Slovakia, reinforcing their shared ability to provide critical care during future joint-combined operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Dylan Myers)

“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 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.

Service members from NATO and allied countries prepare for medical training and instruction at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Sept. 16, 2024. This training fostered the exchange of critical battlefield trauma skills and best practices with international medics from Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Slovakia. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Dylan Myers)