Airmen from RAFs Mildenhall, Lakenheath participate in multinational exercise

  • Published
  • By Army Pfc. Mary A. Staes
  • Medical Exercise in Central and Eastern Europe 2007 public affairs
BOLBOACA TRAINING FACILITY, Moldova --  Fifty U.S. Airmen stationed in England participated in a multinational exercise at Bolboaca Training facility, Moldova, from July 28 through Aug. 10. 

The exercise - referred to as Medical Exercise in Central and Eastern Europe 2007, or MEDCEUR 07 - provided Airmen an opportunity to support medical, public affairs and personnel sections, just to name a few. 

During the exercise, Capt. Kathy Lewis, 100th Mission Support Group executive officer at RAF Mildenhall, handled many of the personnel issues, which included keeping track of more than 400 people from 13 countries. 

"I think the biggest challenge was fear of the unknown," said Captain Lewis. "We didn't know exactly everything that would be available here or what we needed to bring for support. We tried to plan for everything." 

Although MEDCEUR 07 focused on teaching participants how to handle a real-world medical crisis, there were small necessities that needed to be taken care of, such as transportation, lodging and food distribution. And, even though personnel actions weren't being taught in classes, Lewis said she gained experience supporting the multinational exercise. 

Tech. Sgt. Nicole Aly, the RAF Lakenheath allergy and immunizations clinic noncommissioned officer in charge, who provided moulage support for the exercise, agreed. 

"This experience has taught me to keep an open mind to the ideas that not only I had, but ideas that other nations had as well," she said. "With so many different perspectives, there is no way you can leave with less knowledge than you came with," she said. 

Moulage is designed to add realism to the exercise by using makeup to simulate injuries such as bruises, burns and even broken bones. 

Although not everyone who participated in the exercise is in the medical field, each had the opportunity to gain a better grasp of their jobs, no matter the situation or where they are from.