Pristina, Kosovo -- Members of the 132d Medical Group took part in field training exercise Eagle 6 in Pristina, Kosovo from April 28 to May 13, 2018 with members of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF).
The purpose of the exercise was for KSF and Iowa National Guard members to work together and practice important skills in the field and under stressful simulations of real world events.
The field medical skills that the groups practiced together were helicopter medical evacuation, stretcher movement and triage in emergency conditions.
“This exercise provides great training for all the medical participants. We are concentrating on training them on complex medical scenarios in a purposely stressful environment,” said Major Brandon Cochran, team leader from the 132d Wing. “The progress we have seen from the whole team is impressive.”
Eagle 6 is the sixth iteration of this exercise planned and executed by the Kosovo Security Force. The 132d contingent is part of group of 643 participants that includes members from the Iowa National Guard, eight different NATO-affiliated nations, U.S. Army-Europe and the Red Cross. The Iowa National Guard has partnered with the Kosovo Security Force since 2011 as part of the State Partnership Program.
“Participating in this exercise is an incredible opportunity for us to train our forces in a combined, joint and global environment,” said Col. Justin Wagner, Iowa Air National Guard and officer in charge of the international partners for the exercise. “As international partners, we are honored to play a role in helping develop, execute and evaluate this year’s exercise.”
In addition to training field medical skills, the medical teams supported the rest of the contingent by providing real world medical services like sick call and public health.