Multinational delegation kicks off engineering project, medical exchange

Photo By Ben Eberle | Local children show off their puppy before the start of the opening ceremony for the engineering and medical projects and expertise exchanges in Nalaikh district, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, Aug 2. Approximately 1,000 service members from 13 different nations are participating in Khaan Quest 2013, which consists of a command post exercise (CPX) and field training exercise (FTX) at Five Hills Training Area, both focusing on peacekeeping and stability operations. Mongolian and U.S. armed forces, along with other regional partners, will also participate in Engineering Civic Action Program (ENCAP) projects, as well as Cooperative Health Engagement (CHE) events in Ulaanbaatar, enhancing joint Mongolian-U.S. medical and engineering capabilities and providing outreach to underserved communities.  

ULAANBAATAR, MONGOLIA

08.02.2013

Story by Sgt. Ben Eberle 

U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific

NALAIKH DISTRICT, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia – A ceremonial band played traditional Mongolian music as local residents began filling the district square, and children on scooters and roller skates darted back and forth.

Despite all the action, many directed their attention to the static formation of service members wearing strange military uniforms.

Military medical professionals and engineering specialists from Canada, Republic of Korea and U.S. stood side-by-side with their Mongolian counterparts at the opening ceremony for the engineering civic action program (ENCAP) project and cooperative health engagements/subject matter expert exchange during exercise Khaan Quest 2013, Aug. 2.

“I believe that the cooperative health engagement and ENCAP (project) in the frame of the Khaan Quest 2013 multinational peace support operations exercise will make significant contributions to the reform of Mongolian Armed Forces by cooperating and exchanging experiences side-by-side with other nations,” said Brig. Gen. R. Sukhbat, commander of general purpose troops, Mongolian Armed Forces.

Engineering and construction specialists from 9th Engineer Support Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force and 96th Troop Command, Washington Army National Guard, are working with 017 and 338 Engineering and Construction Units, Mongolian Armed Forces and Canadian Forces’ 1 Engineer Support Unit.

The ENCAP project at Erdmiin Orgil school started July 20, and is making steady progress, said U.S. Marine 1st Lt. Matthew Elliott, a platoon commander with Alpha Company, 9th ESB. The team has made great strides to replace the roof, install new windows, apply new stucco to the exterior walls and construct a handicap-accessible at the front entrance of the school.

Just a few blocks away at Golomt Elementary school, Indian and South Korean military medical professionals have joined the trilateral U.S.-MAF-Canadian team to provide optometry, dental, and women’s health education and treatment for Nalaikh residents.

In addition to providing services to the local community, the multinational CHE also provide an ideal setting for expertise exchanges between military and civilian medical professionals, said Sgt. 1st Class Fernando Sangco, noncommissioned officer-in-charge of the exercise’s cooperative health engagements and operations NCO with the Alaska Army National Guard Medical Detachment.

“These projects will improve readiness … but the impact on the community will be even more profound,” said Mr. Kirk McBride, deputy chief of mission for U.S. Embassy, Ulaanbaatar. “The school renovation and medical outreach projects are great examples of what happens when great friends work together.”

• Date Taken: 08.02.2013
• Date Posted: 08.04.2013 23:26
• Story ID: 111326
• Location: ULAANBAATAR, MN