PRICE BARRACKS, BELIZE - The Louisiana Army National Guard (LANG) 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team is in Belize in support of Phase II of exercise Tradewinds 2015, lending their training knowledge to all participating nations.
“We’re here to support our partner nations across various military branches in any medical case they require,” said Capt. Rachel Ward, a nurse from Louisiana Medical Command (MEDCOM), assigned to LANG for the exercise.
The Pineville, Louisiana, native added, “We have a water purification section taking well water and ensuring it’s purified then taking it to the troops. And a food service section helping to prepare and serve meals to all of our partners here in theater.”
Operating from four sites, the guardsmen have two medics in the jungle, where the U.S. Marines are working jointly with special forces from participating countries; two medics who are working an exercise element along a river, and two medics assigned to weapons proficiency training, embedded with the British Army Training Support Unit, Belize. This is in addition to three medics, a nurse and a physician’s assistant at Price Barracks, the exercise headquarters on the outskirts of Belize City.
Led by their commanding officer, Maj. Tyler Carruth of Baton Rouge, the 37 guardsmen know they are playing a vital role in the success of the exercise.
“Effectively we’ve created four urgent care clinics,” said Carruth. “And we’ve coordinated with local hospitals in case there’s a higher level medical need.”
Fortunately, with just over a week left in the exercise, there have been no medical emergencies. Despite juggling logistics, tracking medical reports, purifying water and delivering meals across multiple working sites, the team has found time to make the most of working closely with partner countries.
First Lt. Brittley Caldwell, the officer in charge for the LANG detachment, said, “We’re all living together ... living in close quarters with shared living spaces, chow halls ... you name it ... and we’re forming lasting relationships which is a great take-away from Tradewinds 2015.”
Tradewinds 2015 is a combined, joint U.S. Southern Command-sponsored exercise and an opportunity for the participating partner nations to come together to enhance regional maritime security.