Delaware Air National Guard sends six Airmen to Poland to train local aeromedical evacuation forces prior to Euro Cup Published April 15, 2009 By 030409 NEW CASTLE, DELAWARE -- Delaware Air National Guard sends six Airmen to Poland to train local aeromedical evacuation forces prior to Euro Cup Media availability offered at air base through mid-day today, and again early Thursday morning. Media need to call ahead to coordinate. Contact: Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Matwey Public Affairs Specialist, 166th Airlift Wing, Delaware Air National Guard Cell 302-593-2126, or Office 302-323-3369 E-mail: Benjamin.Matwey@ang.af.mil Release No. 2009-04-003, April 15, 2009 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NEW CASTLE, DELAWARE - Tomorrow morning six specialists from the Delaware Air National Guard's 142nd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron leave for a nearly two-week mission to Poland, a NATO partner, to assist military and civilian forces in an aeromedical evacuation exercise being held April 20-24. The training is to help Poland prepare for potential mass casualties during the 2012 European Championship Soccer Match (the Euro Cup), which Poland will host for the first time. The Euro Cup, one of the most prestigious soccer events in the world, is held every four years in a different country. Over one hundred thousand people watch the games live. The exercise will occur just outside of Warsaw, Poland, and involve the Polish Military Medical Service, Czech Republic and Slovakia forces, and civilian agencies. The six Delaware ANG Airmen are on base today preparing equipment and supplies. Late Thursday morning they depart for Poland aboard a C-130 transport aircraft from Peoria, Ill. It takes several days of flying to reach their final destination. "We have highly skilled Airmen in our unit, well trained and experienced in providing medical evacuation and health care to people wounded in combat situations and to civilians affected by natural disasters. We are proud to share our expertise with our Polish allies to provide them additional training to handle a situation arising out of the large crowds of people expected during the 2012 Euro Cup," said Col. Chuck Gebhart, 142nd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron commander. The six Delaware ANG Airmen on the mission: Major Ben Meadows, a flight nurse from Gap, Pa., zip code 17527; Captain Stacy Culton, a communications officer from Wilmington, Del., zip code 19802; Master Sgt. Doug Stephens, an aeromedical technician from Brogue, Pa., zip code 17309; Tech. Sgt. Sandra Clevenstine, an aeromedical technician from Port Penn, Del. zip code 19731; Tech. Sgt. Bill Austin, a radio operator from Delaware City, Del., zip code 19706; and Senior Airman Tom Morris, an aeromedical technician from Hockessin, Del., zip code 19707. Joining the six Delaware ANG Airmen are an official from the National Guard Bureau at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., and two Airmen, both radio operators, from the Minnesota ANG. They will fly board an ANG aircraft from Illinois. The Illinois National Guard is partnered with Poland as part of the National Guard's State Partnership Program (SPP) whose mission, according to the NGB, is to link National Guard states and territories with partner countries for the purpose of fostering mutual interests and establishing habitual long-term relationships across all levels of society. The Delaware Air National Guard is a reserve component of the U.S. Air Force with 1,100 positions under command of the Governor of Delaware, or the President of the United States when mobilized. The Delaware ANG has been serving Delaware and the United States of America since 1946. This release is in the public domain, and any part may be used as written. - 30 -