Illinois National Guard supports MEDFLAG 11

By Army Spc. Jess Raasch
North Dakota National Guard

Illinois Army National Guard Spc. Vincent Guzman, a chaplain assistant and, Army Maj. Robert Geaschel, a chaplain, speak with Ghanaian Sgt. Ishmael Arthur, a nurse for the 37th Military Hospital in Accra, Ghana, during the bilateral MEDFLAG 11 medical exercise. (Courtesy photo).
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ACCRA, GHANA (7/14/11) - The Illinois National Guard's 405th Brigade Support Battalion is playing an active role in MEDFLAG 11, a joint Ghana-U.S. medical exercise in Accra, Ghana by providing support to other units participating in the event.

Sponsored by U.S. Army Africa, the bilateral MEDFLAG 11 exercise is strengthening the relationship between the U.S. and Ghana through 10 days of collaborative training and sharing of medical expertise, as well as joint humanitarian civic assistance in local communities, officials said.

The exercise is the 405th BSB's first mission as a unit, marking it a milestone for the team.

"[MEDFLAG] gives us real-world experiences in an actual command and control mission, which really is our job," said Army Maj. Ronald Bonesz, 405th's executive officer

The 405th started its role for MEDFLAG 11 in January when about five members of the unit traveled to Accra to work with members of the Ghana Armed Forces and U.S. Army Africa to begin the planning process

"This exercise is a great chance to oversee my staff so I know they can do what they need to do and are qualified for the job assigned to them," Bonesz said.

During the initial planning conference, the joint team discussed possibilities for transportation and lodging. They also got know each other and formed an early bond with each other.

"There was great cooperation and collaboration between the forces, which I hope sets a foundation for future missions of this type," said Bonesz.

Further planning was completed during two more conferences in Ghana. The main planning conference occurred in March and all final planning was completed in May.

"Because of our cultural differences, we had to adjust our planning process to find a new way of completing the mission with the Ghanaians," said Army Capt. Ivan Ortiz, the supply officer for the 405th BSB.

Army Sgt. 1st Class Tim Miller, 405th battalion senior supply sergeant, said despite the cultural differences, they worked together to reach a common goal of a successfully planned mission.

With the beginning of MEDFLAG 11, the role of the 405th switched from planning support to monitoring the support, which they worked hard to establish.

"Our ultimate role is to work in partnership with the GAF and other Guard and Reserve Soldiers to have a successful mission," Miller said.

Miller and his team are working to ensure all participating units have the supplies necessary to complete the mission of working with the GAF.

"We had a great field-ordering operation yesterday and were able to obtain information about where items are available, which is crucial to our mission," said Army Sgt. Whitney Clever, a supply sergeant with the 405th.

Through this process, Miller has worked directly with Ghanaian shop workers.

"Everyone has been so nice," Miller said. "It has been great to work with them in this process."

Lance Cpl. Gordon Oppong, a Ghanaian army soldier from the 37th Military Hospital in Accra, said he has enjoyed the training thus far.

"The classes are going well, and we are learning a lot of great things," he said. "It has been an interesting experience. It is important for us to share information, learn from each other, and be partners."

Although this is the unit's first mission, the 405th has delivered support to all teams involved.

"We are able to support not only ourselves, but support the GAF and we have a lot of pride in that," Clever said.

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