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Mongolians Observe Medical Exercise<br />
By Major Guy Hayes, DMVA Public Affairs<br />
CAMP DENALI, Alaska ... Members of the Alaska National<br />
Guard escorted three Mongolian delegates throughout Alaska in<br />
April in conjunction with Operation Arctic Care.<br />
An annual two-week mission where more than 300 government<br />
and military medical professionals and specialists from across the<br />
country converge on different remote villages across Alaska, Arctic<br />
Care provided the Mongolian delegates an opportunity to see the<br />
technologies used to treat patients in a unique setting.<br />
Brought together in 2003 by the National Guard’s State<br />
Partnership Program, Alaska and Mongolia were partnered because<br />
the two regions resemble each other in size, terrain, natural disasters<br />
and similar challenges with many citizens living in rural areas.<br />
Every year, Alaska and Mongolia engage each other during<br />
joint exercises and send delegates to each country to learn more<br />
about programs and policies while continuing a long-term<br />
relationship with mutual support.<br />
During Arctic Care, Mongolia sent representatives from the<br />
Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Health and National Emergency<br />
Management Agency to observe the medical exercise in Northway.<br />
They also visited the Basset Army Hospital, Elmendorf Hospital,<br />
Tanana Chiefs Conference, University of Alaska Fairbanks,<br />
Fairbanks Memorial Hospital and Northway K-12 school.<br />
“The highlight of the trip was travelling to Northway to see<br />
medical services being provided in a remote community,” said<br />
Major Wayne Don, Alaska-Mongolia State Partnership director.<br />
“The remoteness and challenges associated with providing care in<br />
a small village resonated with the Mongolians because they are<br />
faced with similar challenges for people in their country who live<br />
Observing All Types of Patients. Colonel Davaadorj Rendoo, right,<br />
Mongolian Armed Forces general staff, observes U.S. military medical professionals perform<br />
veterinary services on a dog in Northway, Alaska. During Operation Arctic Care, medical teams<br />
deployed to remote areas of Alaska to treat general health patients, in addition to providing<br />
dental care, eye exams and veterinary care. Photo: Sergeant Sasha Matthew, Alaska Army National Guard<br />
in the rural areas of Mongolia. They saw first-hand how similar<br />
our challenges are logistically and professionally in providing for<br />
an underserved population.”<br />
The Arctic Care exercise also highlighted the Guard, Reserve,<br />
active-duty and civilian organizations ability to work together to<br />
help the people of Alaska. Joint cooperation that, according to Don,<br />
is important for the Mongolians to see in action.<br />
“It was also important for them to see the interagency<br />
cooperation required to pull off this event since their organizations<br />
tend to compartmentalize duties and not necessarily engage in<br />
interagency activities,” Don said. ■<br />
<strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2011</strong> • WARRIORS Securing the State, Defending the Nation 13