Senior officials from the U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa (USAFE-AFAFRICA) and the Ohio National Guard participated in Distinguished Visitor Day at Exercise Platinum Wolf 25 in southern Serbia on June 26, marking the first participation of the U.S. command and the Balkan Medical Task Force (BMTF) in the multinational drill.
Held annually, the Serbian-hosted exercise focuses on peacekeeping operations and aims to strengthen interoperability and crisis-response capabilities among participating countries. This year’s edition brought together troops and medical personnel from across the region, including the United States and Balkan allies.
“The strength of our alliances is built on relationships, and this exercise is a powerful example of how medical readiness and partnership go hand-in-hand,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Thomas Stamp, command surgeon for USAFE-AFAFRICA. “Whether responding to a crisis or preparing for future operations, our ability to work together effectively saves lives and strengthens our collective security.”
The BMTF, a multinational modular unit composed of personnel from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Slovenia, and Serbia, played a central role in the exercise. Headquartered in Skopje, North Macedonia, the BMTF provides coordinated medical support during natural disasters and emergencies, both within the region and beyond.
The unit reached full operational capability in 2019 and was certified by NATO’s medical evaluation process in 2023. Its development has been supported by the United States, Norway and the European Union, which recognized the BMTF as an international organization.
“The exercise highlights not just our individual capabilities, but the power of integrated medical teams from across the Balkans and beyond,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Shelly Brackman, the Ohio National Guard’s medical liaison for the Department of Defense State Partnership Program (SPP). “It’s about building trust and being ready—together—for whatever mission lies ahead.”
The Ohio National Guard, which partners with Serbia through the SPP, joined Allied medical leaders at the event to reinforce the U.S. commitment to regional security and humanitarian response.
USAFE-AFAFRICA officials also visited Serbia’s Military Medical Academy in Belgrade on June 25 and met with local youth, medical students and healthcare workers at the American Corner in Bujanovac on June 26, promoting person-to-person engagement and medical diplomacy.
“This mission is about defending, deterring and deepening partnerships,” said Stamp. “Exercises like Platinum Wolf and the continued development of teams like the BMTF bring that mission to life.”
USAFE-AFAFRICA said its participation in Platinum Wolf 25 reflects its focus on improving readiness, interoperability and cooperation in both the European and African theaters.