US, Mongolian forces improve crisis response capabilities

All Image credits: U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Eric M. Fisher

Members of the U.S. Air Force and Mongolian Armed Forces(MAF) conducted a mass casualty exercise during Pacific Angel 19-3, a joint andcombined humanitarian assistance engagement, enhancing participating nations’humanitarian aid and disaster relief capabilities while providing beneficialservices to people in need throughout South and East Asia.

The exercise was the final phase of emergency medicalpractice exchanges occurring between U.S. Air Force, MAF and Nepali Armysubject-matter experts during PAC ANGEL 19-3 and gave teams a chance to employskills they learned.

Six teams worked together providing emergency medical care to simulated casualties to test the lessons they learned during the previous three days of classroom training.

“Today’s exercise was to bring different disaster relieforganizations together to talk and improve communication and to teach anefficient triage process, which allows them to treat hundreds of patients whileusing as few resources as possible,” said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. ScottieEubank, a 673rd Medical Group paramedic. “This exercise used a lot of theconcepts from the tactical combat casualty care we teach back home.”

The teams were required to quickly assess the status of thecasualties and triage the simulated patients all while being observed andevaluated on their performance. Following each iteration of the exercise, teamsdiscussed ways to improve and were given a second attempt.

“I learned that communication between participants is veryimportant,” said Maj. Nergui Sodnom, a MAF anesthesiologist who participated inthe hands-on training. “The first time we did the mass casualty exercise it wasvery confusing, but when we did it the second time we were much morecomfortable.”

The exercise provided many learning opportunities toparticipants, which will improve their ability to respond to crisis situationsin the future.

“Most doctors’ specialties are different, so improving each participant’s knowledge is very important, which is beneficial because it provides more precision when treating patients,” Sodnom said.

The humanitarian assistance and disaster relief exchanges employed during PAC ANGEL 19-3 strengthen relationships between Mongolia, the U.S. and other regional nations, promoting military-civilian-nongovernmental organization cooperation.

Source: US Air Force