US, Bulgarian medics forge successful partnerships

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Michael Voss
  • 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
PLOVDIV AIR BASE, Bulgaria (AFNS) --  Airmen from the 86th Airlift Wing and 435th Air Ground Operations Wing at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, as well as other U.S. Air Forces in Europe Airmen, participated in Exercise Thracian Fall 2010 Oct. 18 in Plovdiv, Bulgaria.

The three-week, combined exercise was designed to provide both U.S. and Bulgarian airmen the opportunity to train together and strengthen relationships.

Medical experts from both countries participated in a round-table discussion Oct. 19 on the history and future of flight medicine at Graf Ignatievo Air Base, Bulgaria.

"In April, USAFE (officials) sent a team to Bulgaria to study what areas the U.S. and Bulgarian air forces could learn from each other," said Maj. Michael Sheldon, a USAFE international affairs strategist. "From that meeting, it was determined that our medical communities could benefit from further cooperation and learning."

Although the Bulgarian air force's history dates back to 1912, the total force today numbers approximately 6,000; primarily officers with a very limited number of enlisted servicemembers.

"We are really trying to show the Bulgarian's the amount of responsibility our noncommissioned officers handle on a daily basis." Major Sheldon said.

"Within the medical community in the U.S. Air Force, our NCOs carry a vast amount of responsibility," said Maj. Ryan Freeland, a 480th Fighter Squadron flight surgeon from Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany.

One such enlisted careerfield within the Air Force medical community that USAFE leaders hope to encourage the Bulgarian military to adopt is the independent-duty medical technician.

An IDMT is a single medical technician assigned to provide emergency medical care if required by a unit during a temporary-duty assignment.

"As an IDMT, I travel with the squadron and provide all emergency medical care, if needed, until the patient can be transported to a medical facility," said Tech. Sgt. Cheryl Schafer, a 37th Airlift Squadron IDMT.

Another resource Air Force medics shared with their Bulgarian counterparts was the Airman's Manual.

"The Airman's Manual has enabled us to equip each Airman with basic, life-saving skills essential in the battlefield," Major Freeland said. "In essence, this manual has enabled us to create a little army of medics."

While impressed with the U.S. tactics, the Bulgarians also shared their way of operating.

"We are not trying to say our way of operating is the only way, just a way," said Lt. Col. Robert Lehman, an 86th Medical Group flight surgeon. "What makes this opportunity special is we are taking the time to learn about, and from, each other."

Throughout the exercise, Airmen participated in 30 scheduled events, sharing experiences and paving new ways to complete the mission while working together to achieve interoperability for future success.