48th MDG Airmen train and learn in Slovenia Published Oct. 9, 2014 By Airman 1st Class Erin R. Babis 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England -- Seventeen Airmen from the 48th Medical Group recently participated in Exercise Immediate Response 14 in Slovenia, playing a significant role in building international relationships by enhancing joint and combined interoperability with partnered nations. The purpose of the two-week exercise, which concluded Aug. 30, was to enhance combat readiness and interoperability between the U.S., Slovenia and partner nations in NATO-led coalition operations in the contemporary operational environment. While there, the Airmen were also able to gain a better understanding of partnered nations' militaries through cultural exchange. "It was amazing to have those ten nations working together," said Maj. Robert Colella, 48th Medical Surgical Operations Squadron. "You have a hotbed from the past working cooperatively towards a common goal." The Airmen formed a Mobile Field Surgery team, whose role was to provide immediate critical treatment for patients prior to movement to a long-term care facility. "If you need emergency surgical support, we're who the Air Force sends out," Colella said. The job is to, "get you in, get the bleeding stopped and get you out." The medical team was embedded with a team from Denmark who were looking to build a similar platform, said Capt. Jonathan Mayles, 48th MDG anesthesiologist. "It was helpful to share experiences with the two anesthesiologists from their team and get a different perspective," Mayles said. "Overall, conversing with medical providers from different militaries was an eye-opening and enriching experience." Capt. Megan Martin, Public Health Operations chief, said the bigger picture was not to practice the medical skills Airmen use every day but to function as a part of a greater whole working with other militaries. "These exercises are not about us, but the host nations practicing their capabilities and learning how we are integrated in their process," said Martin. "Interoperability is about making the connection how systems and organizations can function together." During the exercise, a culture day was built into the schedule to allow visiting military personnel to experience the scenery and culture of Slovenia. Several excursions were available for Airmen to attend, including visits to parks, castles and museums. "Culture provides an understanding of the people, which can bring to light the understanding of how their military functions," said Martin. "It enables you to feel more connected to their values and ideals as a nation." Exercises like Immediate Response give militaries from partnered nations the necessary opportunity to learn to work together and learn to cooperate seamlessly. "You cannot enhance capacity building by simply attending a video conference, but it is created by the people you meet and the people you learn from," said Martin.