In the period from 10th of July until 18th of July 2017, 58 members of the Balkan Medical Task Force along with personnel from 30th Medical Brigade/US Army and Romanian Army in the military air base “Mihail Kogalniceanu”, near Constanta, Romania, participated in the exercise “Saber Guardian 2017”. Purpose of the participation of the Balkan Medical Task Force was to train personnel to response in situations of massive admission of casualties, as well as to achieve the initial operational capability through a process of a medical evaluation – NATO MEDEVAL.
After arriving in the base, all the personnel conducted their duties in order to set up the medical treatment facility (MTF) with all elements, as well as to integrate with the other MTF (30 Medical brigade/US Army – 212 Combat Support Hospital and Romanian Army).
While the MTF personnel carried out their duties in accordance with the standard operating procedures, personnel from the tactical operating center (TOC) and Patient evacuation coordination cell (PECC) coordinated their activities with the 30th Medical Brigade TOC and multinational PECC, composed of personnel from 30th Medical Brigade, Balkan Medical Task Force and Romanian Army.
On 14th of July 2017, a team from NATO Centre of Excellence for Military Medicine carried out a medical evaluation – NATO MEDEVAL of the Balkan Medical Task Force modules. Medical evaluation referred to the personnel, materials and the procedures and according to the First Impressions Report, overall impressions are that leadership is really aware of all processes and procedures, and personnel are highly motivated, very positive, very cooperative, well trained, well organized, flexible, experienced, prepared for their task, and have a “can do” mentality.
During the Distinguished Visitors Day, Balkan Medical Task Force was part of the scenario MASCAL – response in situations of massive admission of casualties. Personnel proved their readiness for a timely and adequate reaction and treatment of the casualties. This resulted with a Certificate of Achievement, presented to the Commander of the Balkan Medical Task Force, by the 30th Medical Brigade Commander.
During the exercise, presentations of the Balkan Medical Task Force capabilities were carried out to Lieutenant General Nadja Y. West – US Army General Surgeon and Commanding General of US Army Medical Command, Major General Steven A. Shapiro – US Army Commanding General of 21st Theater Sustainment Command and Brigadier General Dennis P. LeMaster – Commanding Regional Health Command Europe. They all expressed admiration from the training and professionalism of the entire personnel and expressed their readiness for further cooperation in the future.
