LJUBLJANA, Slovenia – The Colorado Air National Guard's 140th Medical Group has arrived in Slovenia to participate in operation ADRIATIC STRIKE 21. The exercise focuses on processing patients in a field environment while allowing 140th medical experts to train alongside our NATO allies.
ADRIATIC STRIKE 21 strengthens relationships among the U.S. European Command and NATO partners and allies, improving readiness.
Lt. Col Jason Patten, Colorado Air National Guard, 140th Medical Group mission lead, said this is a prime opportunity for the region and Colorado.
"To improve international relations and to work with not just Slovenia, but working within the European theater and within the African theater is so rewarding," he said. "I hope Colorado remains a part of this exercise in the years to come to solidify our personal relationships in the Role 2 hospital environment."
The 140th Medical Group is participating in the exercise for two weeks, learning and practicing medical procedures with the Slovenian Armed Forces.
Staff Sgt. Candice Moncayo, 140th Medical Group CERFP Search and extraction medic, believes this is a great chance to expand her knowledge.
"Medicine is a universal language," she said. "It's really great to experience how they practice medical care and take that and apply it to how we practice."
ADRIATIC STRIKE 21 is part of DEFENDER-EUROPE 21, which will exercise the command's ability to integrate 30,000 U.S., allied and partner forces from 26 nations to conduct nearly simultaneous operations across more than 30 training areas in more than a dozen nations from the Baltics, to Africa, and the Black Sea and Balkan regions.