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 | May 8, 2024

Exercise Gobi Wolf 2024 Begins in Heart of Mongolian Steppe

By Capt. Balinda O’Neal, 134th Public Affairs Detachment

CHOIBALSAN, Mongolia - Exercise Gobi Wolf 2024, a multinational civil and military training exercise, commenced with an opening ceremony and expert academic discussion in the Dornod Province capital city of Choibalsan May 7.

The four-day exercise is part of the Pacific Resilience Disaster Response Exercise and Exchange program, which focuses on interagency coordination and foreign humanitarian assistance and is coordinated by the Mongolian National Emergency Management Agency and U.S. Army Pacific.

Deputy Prime Minister of Mongolia Sainbuyan Amarsaikhan opened the ceremony by underscoring the critical importance of international cooperation in addressing the escalating challenges posed by natural disasters.

“Extremely dangerous natural phenomena have occurred all over the world and potential risks have become a part of our lives due to climate change, global warming, and ecological degradation in recent years,” said Amarsaikhan. “[This year’s] scenario is developed based on regional and local disaster types, risk factors, conditions, characteristics and humanitarian aid needs.”

Mongolia’s easternmost province is known for its expansive plains and natural hazards, including wildfires, snowstorms and floods. Participants will engage in expert academic discussions, tabletop exercises, and field training activities covering a range of disciplines, including search and rescue, firefighting and medical triage.

During the ceremony, Maj. Gen. Scott Winter, deputy commanding general - strategy and plans for U.S. Army Pacific and an Australian army general officer, commended the enduring partnership between USARPAC and NEMA.

“Throughout the years, this partnership has blossomed, rooted in mutual respect and a shared commitment to excellence,” Winter said, adding that it was the 10th time the U.S. and Mongolian governments have partnered for the exercise.

The steppe, with its expansive grassy plains and unique ecological characteristics, provided an ideal setting for the exercise. Over 350 people representing 30 organizations, including military, law enforcement, ministries, and international humanitarian organizations, participated in the collaborative effort. Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, France, India, Maldives, Nepal, the Philippines, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, and the United States joined Mongolia.

Winter said that the international collaboration underscored the importance of the collective mission.

“Not only to the national and international participants but, most importantly, to the local community. For it is the local emergency response professionals who stand on the front lines, ready to spring into action when disaster strikes,” said Winter.

As Exercise Gobi Wolf 2024 unfolds amid the vast expanse of the Mongolian steppe, participants from around the world come together in a shared commitment to disaster preparedness and resilience. Through knowledge sharing, collaboration and practical training, they aim to fortify their capabilities and forge lasting partnerships in the face of evolving challenges posed by natural disasters.
 

 

 

Related Articles
Senior Enlisted Advisor Tony Whitehead, SEA to the chief, National Guard Bureau, and other Guard leaders attended the 53rd annual conference of the Enlisted Association National Guard of the United States in Detroit, Michigan, Aug. 19-22, 2024. The agenda included speed mentoring sessions, service-specific discussions, and panels led by senior enlisted leaders.
National Guard Leaders Tout Professional Development
By Sgt. 1st Class Elizabeth Pena, | Sept. 3, 2024
DETROIT - National Guard leaders helped facilitate professional development for Soldiers and Airmen during the 53rd Annual Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States Conference and Expo.“How often do we...

Command Sgt. Maj. John. T. Raines, the 13th command sergeant major of the Army National Guard, presented guidance on Soldier readiness at the Chaplains Section Training on May 8, 2024, at the Professional Education Center, Camp Robinson, Arkansas. The chaplains are training to develop spiritual readiness in Soldiers.
Chaplains Address Guard Soldiers’ Spiritual, Mental Health
By Staff Sgt. Daisy Broker, | June 12, 2024
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Army Guard chaplains and their supporting Unit Ministry Teams from throughout the United States refined strategies and tools for boosting Soldiers’ spiritual and mental health May 6-9 at the Army National...

Col. Cathi Cherry, commander of the Professional Education Center; Maj. Gen. Jonathan Stubbs, adjutant general of the Arkansas National Guard; Lt. Col. Elvin Zapata, oldest Soldier serving at PEC; Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders; Sgt. Rhett Crandall, youngest Soldier serving at PEC; and Lt. Gen. Jon Jensen, director of the Army National Guard, cut the cake at a 50th-anniversary celebration for the PEC on Camp Robinson in North Little Rock, Arkansas, May 16, 2024. PEC is home to more than 480 courses spanning six battalions to train Army National Guard Soldiers and Department of Army civilians in cybersecurity, human resources, logistics, recruiting and retention, strategy and leader development, and finance.
National Guard Professional Education Center Celebrates 50 Years
By Sgt. 1st Class Christie Smith, | May 20, 2024
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Fifty years ago, the Army National Guard identified a need to provide ongoing training to the Soldiers and civilians who worked for the Guard full time, keeping units and armories running between...