Moldovan military members visit North Carolina Guard

By Spc. Miko Holloran
North Carolina National Guard

Maj. Jon Locklear, right, a C-130 Hercules pilot, talks to Moldovan Lt. Col. Ion Vulpe during a medical evacuation check ride over North Carolina July 29, 2010. Vulpe spent a week with Airmen assigned to the 156th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron to learn medical evacuation techniques. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Brian E. Christiansen, North Carolina National Guard)
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RALEIGH, N.C., (8/5/10) -- Five members of the Moldovan military force recently toured two North Carolina National Guard bases as a part of the National Guard State Partnership Program.

The team traveled to the United States to learn about medical evacuation and search and rescue operations conducted by the North Carolina National Guard.

On July 27, the Moldovan military team visited the North Carolina National Guard Aviation Flight Facility in Morrisville, N.C. The group was given a tour of the facility, a presentation of the AH-64 Apache helicopter, and an orientation flight in the UH-72 Lakota helicopter which gave them a view of the city of Raleigh from the air.

"The purpose of our briefing and orientation was to discuss and demonstrate the capabilities, techniques, and training regime which allow our North Carolina aviation organization to respond to state emergencies and natural and manmade disasters," said Army Chief Warrant Officer Dan McAuliffe, the aviation operations and training officer.

Two days later, the team then traveled to Charlotte for a simulated air medical evacuation mission.

"I walked through the checklist with the Moldovan medical commander," said Air Force Maj. Rachel Mallette, a flight nurse. "We showed the Moldovan military members how our crew operates as a 'moving hospital,' with the ability to transport patients anywhere."

While the point of the Moldovan military visit was for their soldiers to learn, it also gave the North Carolina Soldiers an opportunity to learn more about their visitors, said McAuliffe.

"I really enjoyed the opportunity to meet with the Moldova visitors," he said. "It is always a rewarding and worthwhile opportunity when we have the chance to work and share ideas with other nations and organizations."

The State Partnership Program links U.S. states with partner countries for the purpose of supporting U.S. security cooperation objectives. The program's goals reflect an evolving international affairs mission for the National Guard using the unique civilian-military nature of the Guard to interact with both active and reserve forces of foreign countries.

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