Three National Guardsmen instructing mine safety in Mongolia
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Mine safety is the top priority of three West Virginia Army National Guardsmen who are in Mongolia to share their knowledge of mining with coal mining officials in the Mongolian government.
First Lt. Joshua Poling of Morgantown, 1st Lt. John Sinsel of Grafton and Staff Sgt. Tommy Wolford of South Williamson, Ky., are full-time coal miners, as well as soldiers in the West Virginia Army National Guard.
The three are taking part in an Alaska National Guard partnership program with Mongolia that has been in effect since 2003, in which National Guard personnel in various fields of expertise are sent to Mongolia for brief periods of time to train government and civilian personnel.
"This opportunity came up through conversations with our Mongolian partners," said Maj. Wayne Don, Alaska National Guard partnership officer. "Since Alaska doesn't deal with coal mining that often, I started communication with the West Virginia National Guard to request support from them."
The West Virginia Army National Guard followed through by recommending Poling, Sinsel and Wolford, who are coal miners in civilian life, to help give instruction on coal mine safety.
"We are here to help the Mongolians learn more on the importance of safety in coal mining," Wolford said. "We are hoping to help bring down the number of fatalities associated with coal mining in Mongolia."
In 2011, Mongolia had more than 100 mining fatalities, and began reaching out to other countries for help in determining the root causes of the problem.
Among other topics, Wolford said, "We are teaching the importance of ventilation in keeping the mines safe."
Wolford, a cavalry scout, said he never dreamed he would be teaching mine safety in Mongolia through his military job."But that's the great thing about being in the National Guard," he said. "It can take you to places you've never dreamed of going to."
First Lt. Joshua Poling of Morgantown, 1st Lt. John Sinsel of Grafton and Staff Sgt. Tommy Wolford of South Williamson, Ky., are full-time coal miners, as well as soldiers in the West Virginia Army National Guard.
The three are taking part in an Alaska National Guard partnership program with Mongolia that has been in effect since 2003, in which National Guard personnel in various fields of expertise are sent to Mongolia for brief periods of time to train government and civilian personnel.
"This opportunity came up through conversations with our Mongolian partners," said Maj. Wayne Don, Alaska National Guard partnership officer. "Since Alaska doesn't deal with coal mining that often, I started communication with the West Virginia National Guard to request support from them."
The West Virginia Army National Guard followed through by recommending Poling, Sinsel and Wolford, who are coal miners in civilian life, to help give instruction on coal mine safety.
"We are here to help the Mongolians learn more on the importance of safety in coal mining," Wolford said. "We are hoping to help bring down the number of fatalities associated with coal mining in Mongolia."
In 2011, Mongolia had more than 100 mining fatalities, and began reaching out to other countries for help in determining the root causes of the problem.
Among other topics, Wolford said, "We are teaching the importance of ventilation in keeping the mines safe."
Wolford, a cavalry scout, said he never dreamed he would be teaching mine safety in Mongolia through his military job."But that's the great thing about being in the National Guard," he said. "It can take you to places you've never dreamed of going to."
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