Dushanbe, Tajikistan – The Virginia National Guard, in support of the Department of Defense National Guard Agency National Partnership Program, conducted a medical evacuation tactical exchange with the Republic of Tajikistan from Dec. 4-9. Virginia and Tajikistan have been partners since 2003.
The medical exchange team, made up of Soldiers assigned to the Hannover-based 229th Military Police Company, 1030th Transportation Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group, and the Barfoot Fort-based Medical Command, was at a military installation in Dushanbe. A five-day exchange was held.
“As part of the exchange, the team shared ideas, best practices, and lessons learned with our partners in Tajikistan,” said Maj. Isaac Rivera, VNG National Partnership Program Director.
The medical exchange centered around Tactical Combat Injury Care with a focus on medical evacuation – a new standard for all service members. Tajikistan’s personnel included doctors specializing in cardiology and neurology, law enforcement, and nurses.
Staff Sergeant-in-Charge Noncommissioned Officer Christopher Weekley said he appreciates the opportunity provided by the National Partnership Program to train with foreign medical partners.
“Working with Tajik people was very exciting and fulfilling. Both instructors and students benefited from the exchange of medical knowledge with each other. , it was not intended to change evacuation procedures,” Weakley said. But to exchange ideas and best practices from each group to better enhance future efforts during combat and non-combat exercises. ”
Mr. Rivera said in addition to Mr. Weekley, Sgt. Zachary Cressman contributed to the success of the exchange by sharing his 12 years of medical knowledge gained in the military and his background as a civilian firefighter and emergency medical technician.
“We look forward to having more instructors participate in foreign exchanges in the near future to help diversify the impact physicians have and to more broadly represent physicians’ contributions to the Virginia National Guard’s mission,” Cressman said. ” he said.
In July, VNG and Tajikistan celebrated the 20th anniversary of their formal partnership in the National Partnership Program, which began in 1993.
The Virginia National Guard and Tajikistan help counterterrorism, deter violent extremism, expand emergency response capabilities, foster professionalism among leaders and personnel, and promote shared values of national sovereignty and security.200 We have shared subject matter expertise through military-to-military activities.