Blog
Immediately following the invasion in 2022, our first 4 members traveled from Poland to Kyiv. We made the necessary contacts to set up shop and began what is now called, "The Global Augmentation Group."
Our first missions were running aid to Odessa and Mykolaiv while Mykolaiv was being heavily attacked. Global Augmentation would provide all supplies out of our own personal funds.
In May 2022 we began assisting with frontline evacuations. Paul and Kevin worked with amazing partners (Base UA/Bostok SOS) and aided in the evacuation of Severodonetsk and Lysychansk before they fell to Russian occupation.
GA was able to purchase our very own vehicle nicknamed "Cherry Bomb" through a mix of the board donating personal funds and family support. She served us well and was later donated to another organization.
After the fall of Severodonestk and Lysychansk, Global Augmentation fell back to Dnipro. We regrouped and added in evacuations of Konstyantynivka. Funds raised through GoFundMe covered the fuel expenses as GA was still mainly in a self-funded role at this time.
In June-July 2022, Global Augmentation worked to supply pet shelters and did welfare checks in Sloviansk. Global Augmentation was able to fundraise a few hundred dollars at a time through GoFundMe and we would purchase supplies and petfood to aid the shelters.
In July 2022, Global Augmentation completed the transfer of 5 donated EOD suits to the Ukrainian military. Private donors purchased the suits and donated them directly to GA at no cost. GA was able to source logistical and financial support from a private equity investor to fund the shipment from the US to Ukraine.
Ever since July 2022, GA has been working the eastern front. Global Augmentation and its partners have been directly responsible for safely evacuating over 2500+ people. GA worked alongside Base UA and covered our own fuel expenses/mission costs.
Global Augmentation supports all of humanity. We have fielded roughly 90 volunteers from over 7 countries. We have had representatives from Finland, Ireland, USA, New Zealand, Denmark, Germany, Ukraine, and Australia. Every volunteer, supporting humanity, provided their own travel, time, expertise, and money to support the cause.
August 2022, Global Augmentation purchased our new van nicknamed "Snow White" to better aid in evacuations from Bakhmut and the surrounding areas. Former board members Chris Loverro (along with the Warriors for Peace Theatre) and Kirk Deweese funded the purchase. "Snow White" has served GA well and is still in use today.
September 2022, Global Augmentation deployed for its very first domestic mission. We deployed to Pine Island, Florida in response to Hurricane Ian. GA was able to raise about $1000 to have 3 volunteers help the Cajun Navy do disaster cleanup.
In October, GA was able to follow the Kharkiv counter-offensive and provide aid to recently liberated villages. With our partners, we reached villages such as Yampil and Zarichne. This is when our mascot Olena was found and adopted. Our board member Craig fundraised to have his own personal van full of supplies for donation. He drove from Ireland to the Donbas on his own and in his own vehicle.
Nov-Dec 2022, Global Augmentation countinued Bakhmut evacuations as the cold began. We also participated in TCCC training and mine awareness courses.
In December 2022, Global Augmentation began working Casualty Collection Points (CCPs) to assist the Ukrainian military near Bakhmut and Soledar.
Up until February 2023, GA continued to assist with Casualty Collection Points (CCPs) and medical evactuations. GA was able to consistantly fundraise for medical supplies through word of mouth donations and GoFundMe.
January 2023, Global Augmentation was able to purchase a defibrilator, IO drill set, and an ambulance through a generous donation by the Deweese family.
February 2023 was a trying time for GA. Funding dried up, Bakhmut was about to fall, and our partner and mentor Pete Reed lost his life. The "Bakhmut Evacuation Network" fell apart. GA removed ourselves from the Donbas, fell back to Kyiv, and regrouped.
Following the loss of Pete, GA ran an independent fundraiser for the 6 team members that were wounded in the same attack. The fundraiser was supported by Alex, Pete's wife, and solely supported the wounded. The fundraiser generated $6600 and $1100 was paid to each of the six (Max, Erko, Sander, Simon, Rae, and Roma).
Since March of 2023, Global Augmentation has been working in our current mission. We have been teaching Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) to civilians, police recruits, TDF, and military units.
Throughout our operations, GA has mainly been in a self-funded state. For major needs and vehicle repairs, GA completed individual fundraisers to cover the costs. In the past we have had to fundraise for a complete engine replacement on Snow White and are currently in need of vehicle repairs on both of our vehicles. The roads in the Donbas are harsher on vehicles than Russian Forces are.
Since March of 2023, Global Augmentation has been teaching Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC). GA was able to fundraise for NAR Cat7 tourniquets. Through your generous support and donations, and with the help of our friends at the Liberty Ukraine Foundation (Tonya Levchuk), we were able to purchase over 1100 NAR Cat7 tourniquets to issue to soldiers.
August 2023, GA applied to become an Educational Partner with the committee on Tactical Emergency Care. We believe in recognized and standardized best practices and commit to teaching the highest standards as prescribed by the committee.
In September 2023, through your generosity, Global Augmentation was able to update and add to our training device inventory. This allows us to expand class size, capabilities, and to teach in more than one location at a time. We cannot thank you enough.
Since March 2023, GA has been working with the International College of Tactical Medicine (ICTM) to assist with TCCC courses. Recently GA's Peter was able to assist the ICTM in developing a Combat Medic course. GA is providing full scale TCCC to Combat Medic instruction.