AFSOUTH EMEDS: Light, lean and life saving

Col. Elmo Robison, Headquarters Air Force chief of expeditionary operations and policy, speaks with members of the Brazilian air force during a brief break after presentations on April 20, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Robinson is a part of a six person team whose goals are aimed at building partner capacity by enabling regional security through sustained engagement in order to deter adversaries, preserve stability, support allies and partners, and cooperate with others to address common security challenges. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Adam Grant/Released)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
AFSOUTH EMEDS: Light, lean and life saving

A group of action figures on display in a Brazilian air force break room depicts early transportation of patients. Members from the United States Air Force are training with Brazilian air force counterparts and sharing best practices during a week-long Expeditionary Medical Support training session, April 20, 2015, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Adam Grant/Released)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
AFSOUTH EMEDS: Light, lean and life saving

Members from Air Forces Southern and the Brazilian air force sit and discuss topics about the Expeditionary Medical Support training on April 20, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Some of the topics discussed were the level of training needed for technicians setting up the EMEDS and the amount of patients that could be treated in an EMEDS. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Adam Grant/Released)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
AFSOUTH EMEDS: Light, lean and life saving

Brazilin air force Capt. Monica Barreto-Santos, smiles using a hand gesture to answer a question asked during a table top discussion on April 20, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Brazilian and U.S. air forces are conduction joint training on the best practices for operating an Expeditionary Medical Support system. One of the big topics discussed was how each force planned to keep their technicians trained and prepared to react upon a moment’s notice. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Adam Grant/Released)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
AFSOUTH EMEDS: Light, lean and life saving

Members of the Brazilian air force give a brief presentation to U.S. Air Force members explaining the use and operation of their hypobaric chamber, April 20, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The chamber simulates a high altitude environment and helps illustrate the effects of hypoxia on the human body. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Adam Grant/Released)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
AFSOUTH EMEDS: Light, lean and life saving

Members of the Brazilian air force give a brief presentation to U.S. Air Force members explaining the use and operation of their hypobaric chamber, April 20, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The chamber simulates a high altitude environment and helps illustrate the effects of hypoxia on the human body. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Adam Grant/Released)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
AFSOUTH EMEDS: Light, lean and life saving

Members of the Brazilian air force give a brief presentation to U.S. Air Force members explaining the use and operation of their hypobaric chamber, April 20, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The chamber simulates a high altitude environment and helps illustrate the effects of hypoxia on the human body. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Adam Grant/Released)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
AFSOUTH EMEDS: Light, lean and life saving

(Left) Maj. Brian Neese, 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) chief of international health specialists division; Maj. Janet Carey, 12th AF (AFSOUTH) international health specialists; Master Sgt. Kingsley Parker, Air Combat Command NCOIC of ground medical, Mr. Lewis Rissmiller, Air Combat Command surgeon general program manager, and Col. Elmo Robinson, Headquarters Air Force chief of expeditionary operations and policy, smile before departing a Brazilian medical facility during a one week stay in Rio de Janerio, Brazil on April 20, 2015. The team was selected for their expertise in all areas of EMEDS (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Adam Grant/Released)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res

AFSOUTH EMEDS: Light, lean and life saving

Published April 21, 2015
By Staff Sgt. Adam Grant
12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) Public Affairs

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil -- Six Airmen from the U.S. Air Force travelled to Brazil this week to participate in a subject matter expert exchange with the Brazilian air force, focusing on Expeditionary Medical Support training.

The Airmen, from 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern), Air Combat Command, Headquarters Air Force, and Air Education Training Command, are supporting a week-long exchange of best practices with a goal of strengthening the partnership between the United States and the Brazilian air forces.

"Creating a team like this will really bring everything that we have to offer to the table," said Maj. Brian Neese, 12th AF (AFSOUTH) chief of international health specialists division. "This will allow our Brazilian counterparts to easily see where they are able to insert their experts and allow us to effectively share knowledge."

The team was hand selected for their expertise in EMEDS areas such as program management, command, instruction, and logistical systems.

During the visit, members of the team will gather information on the current status of the Brazilian air force's EMEDS and, once the information is gathered, will share best practices aimed at enhancing those capabilities.

The first few days will consist of the U.S. Air Force team assessing the strengths of the Brazilian air force's team, then creating a plan of which information may be beneficial for the exchange. The week-long journey will culminate with a capstone exercise designed to assess the effectiveness of the knowledge exchange.

"After this week of sharing some of our best practices and absorbing all of the Brazilian air force best practices, I think we'll be making positive steps towards the future," said Maj. Janet Carey, 12th AF (AFSOUTH) international health specialist.