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USAFE, Bulgarian medics forge successful partnerships

By Tech. Sgt. Michael Voss , 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs / Published October 19, 2010

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PLOVDIV AIR BASE, Bulgaria -- Airmen from the 86th Airlift Wing and 435th Air Ground Operations Wing at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, joined Airmen from throughout U.S. Air Forces in Europe in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, Oct. 18, to participate in Thracian Fall 2010. 

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

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

"In April USAFE 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, 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 military 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, 480th Fighter Squadron flight surgeon from Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany.

One such enlisted careerfield within the U.S. 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 lone 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, 37th Airlift Squadron IDMT.

Another resource USAF 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," said Major Freeland. "In essence this manual has enabled us to create a little army of medics."

While impressed with the USAF 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 86th Medical Group Flight Surgeon Lt. Col. Robert Lehman. "What makes this opportunity special is we are taking the time to learn about and from each other."

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