Iron Wolf 22 multinational exercise: ‘The more you sweat in peace, the less you bleed in battle’

By Sgt. April BensonJune 2, 2022

Iron Wolf 22 multinational exercise: ‘The more you sweat in peace, the less you bleed in battle’
1 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Maj. Cordell Hachinsky (left front) assigned to 4th Security Force Assistance Brigade observes a Lithuanian Role 1 medical team treat a simulated casualty during Exercise Iron Wolf at Gaižiūnai training area near Kaunas, Lithuania, May 13, 2022. Global Health Engagement activities offer critical opportunities to build a ready medical and a medically ready force, reduce risks to the warfighter, and foster the mission-capable status of partner nations' forces. (Photo Credit: Ms. Elizabeth Baker) VIEW ORIGINAL
Iron Wolf 22 multinational exercise: ‘The more you sweat in peace, the less you bleed in battle’
2 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Two Lithuanian surgeons prepare for a simulated patient with multiple traumas in order to test team structure and medical logistic support during Exercise Iron Wolf at Gaižiūnai training area near Kaunas, Lithuania, May 13, 2022. Global Health Engagement activities offer critical opportunities to build a ready medical and a medically ready force, reduce risks to the warfighter, and foster the mission-capable status of partner nations' forces. (Photo Credit: Ms. Elizabeth Baker) VIEW ORIGINAL
Iron Wolf 22 multinational exercise: ‘The more you sweat in peace, the less you bleed in battle’
3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Lithuanian medical NATO Role 2B display Lithuanian medical equipment, capabilities, and practices, in support of Exercise Iron Wolf at Gaižiūnai training area near Kaunas, Lithuania, from May 10-15, 2022. Global Health Engagement activities offer critical opportunities to build a ready medical and a medically ready force, reduce risks to the warfighter, and foster the mission-capable status of partner nations' forces. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Maj. Cordell Hachinsky) VIEW ORIGINAL
Iron Wolf 22 multinational exercise: ‘The more you sweat in peace, the less you bleed in battle’
4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – An all-female Lithuanian medical team demonstrates Role 1 trauma treatment on a simulated casualty during Exercise Iron Wolf at Gaižiūnai training area near Kaunas, Lithuania, May 13, 2022. Seen here in action, Lithuania’s National Action Plan following the UN Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) on Women, Peace, and Security focuses on improving the effectiveness and assistance efforts across the board by proactively integrating the needs and perspectives of women, and empowering women to contribute their talents and energies to international peace, security, and prosperity. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Bailey Griffin) VIEW ORIGINAL

U.S. and Lithuanian medical subject matter exchange promoted critical medical observations and discussions within the multinational military medical community during Exercise Iron Wolf at Gaižiūnai training area, near Kaunas, Lithuania, from May 10-15.

Iron Wolf, a national Lithuanian exercise, operates in conjunction with U.S. and NATO allies. The exercise drills joint defense tasks that facilitate integrated deterrence along the eastern flank. This year’s exercise enabled U.S. medical Soldiers to evaluate Lithuanian medical equipment and their medical teams in action.

U.S. Army Capt. Michal Poplawski, a field surgeon with 557th Medical Company Area Support, shared his experience when observing and coordinating with Lithuanian medical counterparts.

“What the Lithuanians lack in funding, personnel, and equipment, they make up for it with their spirit and ingenuity,” Poplawski said. “They taught me ways to improvise in the field and think outside the box. Their equipment is a mix of older items and equipment from the late Soviet era, in addition to brand new NATO supplied weapons and gear. The Lithuanians quickly learn to incorporate the new with the old. While we have experience using NATO equipment, their ability to retrofit older equipment to make it useful in modern combat situations is impressive. For example, they can take an 80's ambulance and incorporate modern medical equipment to make sure nothing usable is wasted.”

Familiarization with medical practices and equipment fosters interoperability among U.S. and NATO partners. Global Health Engagement activities enable critical problem-solving and medical synchronization so U.S. and allied partners quickly react, adapt, and overcome medical barriers when transitioning from competition to conflict.

“In attending numerous GHE activities, I have observed and worked with numerous NATO allies and partners on their specific equipment and standard operating procedures,” said U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Andrew Bullock, a healthcare sergeant with 557th MCAS. “This engagement provides me an understanding of what I can expect and allows me to easily integrate onto a multinational task force.”

GHE activities offer critical opportunities to build a medically ready force, reduce risks to the warfighter, and foster the mission-capable status of partner nations' forces. Ongoing synchronization and communication enables U.S. and allied forces to rapidly respond to disasters or outbreaks, and partner in the fight against global threat networks. Through these critical engagements, U.S. Army Europe and Africa secures the framework for strong deterrence and defense posture on both continents.

“I think multinational exchanges such as Iron Wolf are extremely important to the success of NATO, and our allies in general,” Poplawski added. “Besides exchanging ideas and developing cohesion, multinational exercises are the best place to test new theories and make mistakes. As the saying goes, ‘the more you sweat in peace, the less you bleed in battle.’ Hands-on observation and coordination benefits all parties involved and solidifies our alliance.”