COLCHESTER, Vt. (AP) - Some members of the Vermont National Guard are headed to North Macedonia Saturday to support medical natural disaster training in the Balkans of Europe.
The soldiers are assisting in developing two potential natural disaster scenarios, with their focus on planning and logistical issues that would be faced in a real-world crisis.
North Macedonia is currently operating a NATO medical facility that supports the Balkan Region in the event of a natural disaster, said Maj. Joe Phelan, commander, C (Medical), 186th Brigade Support Battalion.
The medical facility consists of advanced damage control resuscitation and surgery provided by small, mobile, forward-positioned medical facilities and surgical teams. The Vermont unit is the medical facility for the 86th Infantry Brigade.
“We are going to share our best practices with the North Macedonians and receive briefs on their operating procedures – it’s another great opportunity for us to learn from one another and mutually build our readiness,” said Phelan,
North Macedonia and the Vermont National Guard have been partners for 25 years.
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