ILOWA, Poland -- While children of all ages practice their individual techniques, two medics attached to 3rd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, provided medical support during a youth karate tournament in Ilowa, Poland April 8, 2017.
Bravo Battery's priority is to sustain interoperability with the Polish Army, however, tasking U.S. Soldiers to work with a Polish Emergency Medical Service (EMS) team for a local event helps strengthen relationships within Polish communities.
"I think this is a unique opportunity that I wouldn't be able to get in the United States," said Cpl. Cameron Kinnear, Health Care Specialist, 3rd Bn., 29th FA Reg., 3rd ABCT, 4th ID. "Normally, I would be working in an Aid Station but here I get the chance to work with the local populous and I get to experience a unique culture."
3rd Bn., 29th FA Reg., is on a nine-month deployment, rotating through the European theater in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve. This U.S. led effort in Eastern Europe demonstrates the U.S. commitment to strengthening the defensive and deterrent capabilities of the NATO Alliance.
"I think it's very valuable for Operation Atlantic Resolve and as a person," said Kinnear. "We are here to help support the Polish and build personal relationships with them by showing them that Americans are wonderful people and we're here to help them."
The U.S. medics used the opportunity to support this event to experience a part of Poland they wouldn't normally be able to in their military training.
"I think being deployed in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve is cool," said Pfc. Christopher Greco, Health Care Specialist, 3rd Bn., 29th FA Reg., 3rd ABCT, 4th ID. "Not only because I get to cross-train with the Polish and Dutch soldiers but I get to experience Poland and Europe."
The U.S. medics were in attendance to provide secondary medical support in case of any serious injuries and unfortunately they had to render aid for two of the competitors in the tournament.
During intermission of the Western Poland Open Championship Karate tournament, Woyciech Furtak, Event Organizer, took a moment recognized the U.S. medics and presented them with a certificate of appreciation for their efforts.
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U.S. Army Europe is uniquely positioned in its 51st country area of responsibility to advance American strategic interests in Europe and Eurasia. The relationships we build during more than 1,000 theater security cooperation events in more than 40 countries each year lead directly to support for multinational contingency operations around the world, strengthen regional partnership and enhance global security.
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