Patriot Exercise Prepares Servicemembers for Coalition Environment

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Ben Sutton
  • 181st IW/Public Affiars
Members of the 181st Intelligence Wing's Medical Group participated in the Patriot Exercise at Volk Field and Fort McCoy, Wis. July 10-25, 2010. The Patriot Exercise is an international annual training event designed to increase the domestic and combat readiness capabilities of National Guard units.
"We had an incredible opportunity to participate in the Patriot Exercises and not only work with other units but also other nations," said Col. Worthe S. Holt Jr., Commander of the 181st MDG.
The exercise gave participants a chance to get valuable hands-on training and at the same time allow senior leadership a chance to determine how effectively a major emergency or incident could be responded to. International participation allowed an opportunity for U.S. servicemembers to practice NATO standards in preparation for the coalition environment.
"This international, annual training event sponsored by the National Guard Bureau, afforded us the opportunity to train and then exercise our skills and knowledge in various scenarios," said Lt. Col. Patricia M. Mook, the MDG vice commander. "As the deployed commander, I was proud of our unit and how easily they integrated into the joint forces concept while performing their duties in an exemplary fashion. It was a rewarding experience for all medical personnel."
The 80 hour exercise was broken up into two shifts, day and night, where the participating personnel were equally divided up. There was also a training and certification period before the exercise began and 25 buildings were built for the exercise.
"It was a chance for the 181st MDG to show their outstanding preparation, execution and work ethic as well as the tremendous leadership exhibited by Lt. Col. Mook," said Holt.
Members of the 181st MDG participated in Advanced Trauma Life Support training and had a rare opportunity to receive Blackhawk, C-130 and C-17 loading training which dealt with the challenges of noise and movement of helicopters and aircraft.
"It was a seamless transition for our unit, the other guard units and the other nations that participated," said Mook.