An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | July 10, 2019

WVARNG conducts knowledge exchange with Peru's army, police

By Capt. Holli Nelson West Virginia National Guard

LIMA, Peru – Members of the West Virginia Army National Guard (WVARNG) conducted hands-on aeromedical evacuation (MEDEVAC) operations training for medical experts of the Peruvian Armed Forces the first week of July in Lima.

As a part of a Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE) effort through the National Guard Bureau's State Partnership Program, Col. Kermit Huebner, Col. Todd Fredricks, Master Sgt. Evan McDonough and Sgt. Brad Miller trained more than 120 members of the Peruvian Army, Peruvian Air Force, Peruvian Marine Corps, Peruvian Navy, and the Peruvian National Police on a variety of aeromedical topics.

During the week-long engagement, U.S. service members focused on the various aspects of aeromedical training and the science behind how the human body responds to medical procedures in flight.

In one such session, Huebner and Fredricks engaged directly with the Peruvian military and National Police for a class on aviation physiology. The training covered the history of aviation medicine, flight physiology, acceleration and G forces, and finally, flight safety/spatial disorientations.

"During the training, the Peruvian soldiers, airmen, marines, sailors and police officers were highly engaged and eager to learn," said Huebner, WVARNG director of aviation medicine with the 772nd Troop Command (Aviation). "The hands-on opportunities were especially well received and gave the students exposure to new equipment and new techniques they may not have seen or used before. They were all excited to learn, and we were excited to teach!"

In another session, McDonough, Miller, and Fredricks went over aeromedical evacuation procedures, patient evaluations, and provided hands-on exposure to tactical casualty combat care (TCCC).

"The training they received will help them be better prepared to provide advanced emergency medical treatment to their countrymen and women during times of disaster and need, as well as during international peacekeeping missions," said McDonough, an operations sergeant with the 2nd Battalion, 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne). "Learning these standards and procedures will help Peruvian Armed Forces and police operate more precisely in joint operations, increasing their overall medical interoperability and effectiveness."

The West Virginia National Guard members closed out the exchange with a round table discussion, reviewing any topics and lessons learned from the previous week's training.

Fredricks, the WVARNG state surgeon, said that establishing the relationship with the Peruvian partners was an incredible experience.

"Maj. Gen. Erwin Solis and his staff were extremely accommodating and challenged us to work at our highest capacity to help the Peruvian Army to develop methods and doctrine that will help save lives," he said. "We left feeling that we had made a lot of progress, developed goodwill, and have a great plan for moving forward with future engagements."

Similarly, Sgt. 1st Class Hector Guillen, SPP-Peru non-commissioned officer in charge, said that the subject matter expert exchange was a significant step forward for the Peruvian Armed Forces and National Police, who provide an essential response to their citizens that require extensive knowledge in aeromedical evacuation procedures during a natural disaster.

"For the West Virginia-Peru partnership, this exchange provided an opportunity for our Soldiers to share their knowledge and experience in aeromedical evacuation, while also offering hands-on training for the first time to the Peruvians," he said. "We hope to continue building upon this strong foundation to further strengthen the capabilities of the Peruvians' aeromedical mission."

The training will be used both in Peru and in support of United Nations (UN) Peace Support Operations in other nations such as Haiti and the Congo.

 

 

Related Articles
Air Force Gen. Steve Nordhaus, chief, National Guard Bureau, and Army Senior Enlisted Advisor John Raines, SEA to the CNGB, visit New Hampshire National Guardsmen at Pease Air National Guard Base, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Nov. 26, 2024.
NGB Leaders Visit ’Top-notch’ Guardsmen in New Hampshire
By Sgt. 1st Class Zach Sheely, | Nov. 29, 2024
PORTSMOUTH, N.H. – The National Guard Bureau’s top leaders visited the New Hampshire National Guard Nov. 26 to better understand its people, missions and capabilities.Air Force Gen. Steve Nordhaus, chief, National Guard...

On Sept. 26, 2024, Maj. Gen. Michael Venerdi, Kansas adjutant general, presented the Kansas Medal of Excellence to Tech. Sgt. Ryan Ewing for resuscitating a man at a Milwaukee hotel.
Kansas National Guard Airman Recognized for Saving a Life
By Kansas National Guard | Nov. 29, 2024
TOPEKA, Kan. - One of the benefits of joining the Kansas National Guard is the skills learned may be useful in the civilian world. While Tech. Sgt. Ryan Ewing’s skills as a boom operator in a KC-135 refueling tanker jet may...

Santa Claus smiles after arriving in Circle, Alaska, on board an Alaska Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk to deliver gifts to children during Operation Santa Claus, Nov. 6, 2024. The Alaska National Guard's annual community outreach program has provided toys, backpacks and books to children in remote Alaskan communities since 1956.
Alaska Guard’s Operation Santa Claus Brings Holiday Cheer
By Senior Master Sgt. Julie Avey, | Nov. 29, 2024
CIRCLE, Alaska - Alaska Army and Air National Guard members and Salvation Army volunteers boarded a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter with Santa Claus Nov. 6 to deliver gifts to the remote village of Circle along the Yukon...