Aerial aid: US, Georgian troops build alliance through medical combat training

By Pfc. Matthew MarcellusAugust 28, 2018

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1 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Sgt. Rodolfo Echeverria, on left, a flight medic with Company C, 2nd General Support Aviation Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, directs Soldiers and members of the military of Georgia into an HH-60M... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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2 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Sgt. Rodolfo Echeverria, on left, a flight medic with Company C, 2nd General Support Aviation Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, directs Soldiers and members of the military of Georgia during a medic... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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3 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Sgt. Tiffany Pineda, an aviation sergeant and crew chief assigned to 2nd General Support Aviation Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, looks over the surrounding terrain in an HH-60M Black Hawk helicop... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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4 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A Georgian soldier surveys the surrounding area during a medical evacuation training exercise preparing the Georgian military for a deployment to Afghanistan, conducted alongside the 2nd General Support Aviation Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment, 4th ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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5 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A Georgian soldier guards the surrounding area during a medical evacuation training exercise preparing the Georgian military for a deployment to Afghanistan, conducted alongside the 2nd General Support Aviation Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment, 4th C... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

HOHENFELS, Germany -- The continuous dramatic thumping of the HH-60M Blackhawk helicopter announced the arrival of aid and assistance as the 2nd General Support Aviation Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division conducted a series of aviation and medical evacuation training exercises in support of the Georgian military as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve at Hohenfels Training Area, Germany, August 21, 2018.

"We're out here supporting Georgian troops who are being trained by U.S. Marine Corps Joint Terminal Attack Controllers, and are getting ready for deployment," said Sgt. Rodolfo Echeverria, a flight medic with Company C, 2nd General Support Aviation Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment. "Out here in the field, they're running through company and platoon level training lanes, and we're also doing medical evacuation so that they have some training with the helicopters."

The 2nd General Support Aviation Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment has been conducting the joint exercises since August 19 and has focused on training designed to simulate combat scenarios.

"It's important for the Georgians to know how to respond and work with U.S. medevac assets," said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jacob Martin, a pilot with the 2nd General Support Aviation Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment. "When they deploy, they will know how to evacuate their wounded."

The Georgian military is preparing to deploy to Afghanistan, where it is crucial to be able to communicate and work with medical assets in a timely, safe and efficient manner.

"They'll know some more about how the process works and how to approach the aircraft safely," said Echeverria. "If they have to call in a medical evacuation, I feel like they're pretty well prepared now."

Training such as this further builds relationships between the U.S. Army and allies who will need to maintain the unbreakable bond while in combat.

"This fosters a good spirit, [so] they know that they can rely on us," said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Michelle Huang, a pilot in command for the training mission with the 2nd General Support Aviation Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment. "They can call us, and we'll come to get them."

The exercises are multifaceted and are necessary training for both the 2nd General Support Aviation Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment as well as the Georgian military.

"It's imperative that we get out here to conduct this type of training," said Martin. "We are not able to do realistic training unless there is a ground piece as well."

Joint training between the U.S. Army and its European allies ensures the readiness, agility, and lethality of coalition forces.

"The more that we can train with our coalition forces here, before they enter combat, the better," said Huang. "We'll have better camaraderie and a stronger working relationship with our allies."

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