Gobi Wolf: A Disaster Readiness Exercise with the Utah Air National Guard Published Oct. 10, 2024 By Master Sgt. Danny Whitlock 151st Wing CHOIBALSAN, Mongolia -- In Mongolia's remote, rugged landscape, disaster response teams from 17 nations converged to participate in Gobi Wolf, a unique and challenging Disaster Readiness Exercise Exchange. The DREE was designed to build disaster response capabilities in partner nations, focusing on real-world readiness and international collaboration. While initially planned to involve multiple guards and active duty units, the exercise saw the Utah Air National Guard play a critical role, especially in the medical response and swift water rescue. The Utah Air National Guard's central role in Gobi Wolf was led by U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Eric Bornemeier, medical planner, 151st Medical Detachment, 151st Medical Group. His team's mission was clear: to support the Mongolian National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) with disaster preparedness training and exercises. As the exercise unfolded, Bornemeier and his team were essential to coordinating medical operations and supporting the overall readiness of the Mongolian disaster response teams. The exercise initially involved personnel from multiple National Guard teams across the country. However, due to a request from the U.S. Army Pacific Command, U.S. Pacific Air Forces Command, and the Alaska Air National Guard, the Utah Air National Guard took on more responsibility than initially planned. This request expanded Utah's commitment from two personnel to four, a shift that would shape the scope of their involvement. "We were originally tasked with bringing two of our team members," Bornemeier explained. "As we got closer to the exercise, PACOM and USARPAC planners ended up deploying four members to Mongolia, and it became clear that our role in medical support and rescue would be crucial to the success of the exercise." Bornemeier was not alone in this endeavor. Alongside him were U.S. Air Force Capt. Eric Ceilinski, a physician assistant (PA) and officer in charge of search and extraction, Master Sgt. John Asay, Aerospace Medical Technician and Nurse, and Maj. Solamin Yaqub, a family physician from the Utah Air National Guard. These key players were instrumental in ensuring that the medical elements of the exercise were executed with precision and professionalism. Bornemeier praised their work, emphasizing their importance to the operation's success. Bornemeier continues, “Capt. Solinski and Maj. Yakub were pivotal in executing the medical lanes of the exercise and working through the complexities that arise in real-world scenarios like this. They both brought immense expertise, and their commitment was clear from day one." Despite the detailed planning, the team faced significant challenges. Mongolia's harsh environment and unpredictable weather made setting up medical training more difficult than expected. Winds strong enough to blow over tents added more complexity to the demanding exercise. "The windstorms were like nothing I've ever seen before," Bornemeier recalled. "We lost several tents and had to quickly move our operations into the city's Department of Health auditorium. It felt like a real-world disaster response—we had to adapt on the fly." In addition to medical support, the Utah Air National Guard coordinated swift water rescue operations. USARPAC planners and the Alaska Air National Guard, whose team had a long-established partnership with Mongolia, requested this capability. The 'skills adventure race' was one of the most well-received events. It was designed to push the U.S., Mongolian, and International personnel through a series of disaster response scenarios, ranging from medical triage to water rescue and confined space recovery. Mixed teams of participants from various nations worked together, which fostered camaraderie and a competitive spirit. According to Bornemeier, the Mongolian host nation team excelled in the race, enjoying the challenge and testing their disaster response capabilities. "The Mongolian team was highly competitive," Bornemeier remarked. "They loved the challenge, and seeing how engaged they were with the scenarios was great. It built a sense of mutual respect and partnership." Mongolia's geopolitical position between China and Russia adds complexity to international partnerships, making Gobi Wolf even more significant. Mongolia has maintained balanced relations with both superpowers while also establishing strong ties with the United States. This delicate balance makes disaster response collaboration with Mongolia essential to broader global readiness efforts. "Mongolia is a fascinating country," Bornemeier said. "They have strong ties with Russia and China, but they've also built a robust partnership with us [U.S.A]. That makes exercises like Gobi Wolf incredibly important because we need to know how to operate together during a disaster." The Utah Air National Guard's adaptability under pressure was recognized by both their Mongolian counterparts and the U.S. military leadership. Bornemeier and Solinski were both decorated by the Mongolian military for their contributions, a recognition that underscored the importance of international cooperation in disaster response. As the Utah Air National Guard reflects on Gobi Wolf, the team is already considering future exercises. Bornemeier and his team are eager to build on this year's success, applying the lessons learned to strengthen their own capabilities and those of their international partners. "This exercise was an incredible learning experience," said Bornemeier. "It showed us how quickly things can change in a disaster scenario and how important it is to remain adaptable. We hope to continue building on our friendships in Mongolia with our Alaska teammates, USARPAC, and PACAF. I'm confident our team will improve even as we continue these training exercises." The Gobi Wolf exercise highlighted the importance of global partnerships in disaster response and underscored the Utah Air National Guard's role in international preparedness efforts. With their medical support and swift water rescue expertise, Bornmeier and his team demonstrated how critical these capabilities are in responding to real-world disasters. As the U.S. continues to engage in global health initiatives and disaster response efforts, the Utah Air National Guard remains at the forefront of these collaborations, prepared to respond when the next call comes. -30-