Warriors - Summer 2011

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