Photo By Airman 1st Class Miles Chrisman | 188th Med Group attends AIR DEFENDER 2023 at Wunstorf Air Base, Germany. AIR DEFENDER...... read more read more
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EBBING AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, FORT SMITH, Ark. – The 188th Wing Medical Group is a crucial part of the wing’s mission to support the United States and its allies. One way the Medical Group stays ready to support the fight is by sending Airman to training events and exercises around the world.
“We are trying to prepare for a greater power,” said the 188th Medical Group Senior Enlisted Leader Senior Master Sgt. Che Kinnard. “We are sending people all around the world so they can get trained and deliver that training to the other Airmen here.”
During these training events, Airmen sharpen their skills as Combat Medics in both emergency and non-emergency situations, such as COPE NORTH 2023.
Exercise COPE NORTH is an annual trilateral field training exercise conducted at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Yap and Palau. The primary focus of the exercise is humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations in which the Air Force, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force/Koku Jeietai, and the Royal Australian Air Force Contingency Response organizations work together to establish air bases and deliver personnel, supplies, equipment and cargo into a simulated disaster area.
“While we were there not only were we building a relationship with our state partners, but we are also trading knowledge,” said Staff Sgt. Stacy Alexander, a member of the Commander Support Staff at the 188th. “We are also improving uniformity so regardless of where an airman is they can get the same level of quality medical care.”
Another training exercise the Medical Group attended was AIR DEFENDER 23 which was held at Wunstorf Air Base, Germany.
“The 188th Medical Group members were able to work alongside medical personnel from five other airlift wings,” said Capt. Mindy LeBarr, a Family Nurse Practitioner for the 188th Medical Group. “This training will help us support the medical mission of providing 24/7 real-world operational support.”
AIR DEFENDER 23 is the biggest NATO exercise in Air Force history, and it was in development since 2018. Lt. Gen. Ingo Gerhartz, Chief German Air Force, explains that the objectives of the exercise showcase NATO Air Power and sharpens our “interoperability and enables a credible deterrence against a potential aggressor.” AIR DEFENDER 23 was executed in coordination with 25 nations, involving about 10,000 participants and 250 aircraft in a joint training environment in European airspace.
These exercises among others help the 188th Medical Group to be better prepared to support the fight to compete with and deter our near peer adversaries as well as sustain operations back home.
| Date Taken: | 07.20.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 07.24.2023 09:56 |
| Story ID: | 449659 |
| Location: | FORT SMITH, ARKANSAS, US |
| Web Views: | 55 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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