Defense News: Army Guard medics strengthen Kosovo clinic with lifesaving training

Source: United States Army

CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo — Task Force Medical Soldiers with NATO’s Kosovo Force provided lifesaving medical training to local health care providers at a clinic in the municipality of Obiliq/Obilić, near Pristina, Feb. 24, reinforcing KFOR’s stabilization mission by improving local medical capabilities and building strong community partnerships.

The training was part of a formal handover between KFOR 35 and KFOR 36, a routine transition in which outgoing medics transfer responsibilities, lessons learned and ongoing outreach projects to the incoming team to ensure continuity of care and community engagement. The turnover included briefings on previously assessed clinic needs, scheduled outreach events and logistics for future training missions.

Louisiana Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Kyle Boudoin, assigned to the 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, led the outgoing team, while Florida Army National Guard Sgt. Benford Rosenfeldt, assigned to the 53rd IBCT, assumed duties with the incoming rotation. The two led training at the clinic, ranging from basic Army Combat Lifesaver skills and CPR to advanced cardiac life support.

Boudoin reflected on handing over responsibilities to his counterpart and how to make the transition successful.

“It’s important to leave the next team with clear plans and strong relationships,” he said. “We walked them through the clinics, shared what worked and what didn’t, and introduced Benford so he could immediately build on that trust. Knowing the mission continues smoothly here is the best part of turning over the job.”

The training also included trauma care focused on blunt-force, head and multisystem injuries using the MARCH algorithm — massive hemorrhage, airway, respiration, circulation and head injury/hypothermia. Task Force Medical’s outreach mission includes school visits to teach CPR and partnerships with clinics to provide advanced, tailored training to meet the needs of local Kosovo communities.

Training was coordinated using information from KFOR Civil-Military Cooperation and included hands-on practice and guidance on acquiring essential supplies.

Rosenfeldt, a paramedic at a Level II trauma center in St. Petersburg, Florida, said the goal is to strengthen local clinical knowledge and help providers request appropriate resources in the future.

“A lot of these clinics are limited on resources and we’re trying to advance their capabilities and knowledge so they know what to request in the future and where they should be,” he said. “We’re there to guide them and give them the clinical knowledge to set them up for success.”

Both Soldiers serve as 68W combat medics and evacuation platoon sergeants with Task Force Medical. Their civilian experience — Boudoin in paramedicine and emergency management, and Rosenfeldt as a career paramedic — informs the practical, locally tailored training they deliver.

“This being my first event, I think it went really well. Kosovo people are very appreciative and open to us being here and the training,” Rosenfeldt said. “I think as far as knowledge base, there’s a slight knowledge gap, but I think they have the hearts and the minds to try to get up to speed with best practices in medicine and we’re there to help them with that.”

By improving local medical response, Task Force Medical supports KFOR’s broader mandate to maintain a safe and secure environment and strengthen local institutions. Regular outreach, typically conducted about every other month, fosters trust, expands medical capacity and leaves a lasting capability in communities across Kosovo.