The U.S. government donated four M997 High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWV, or “Humvee”) military field ambulances to the Slovenian Armed Forces.

HMMWV field ambulances donated by the U.S. Government to the Slovenian armed forces (Picture source: U.S. Embassy in Slovenia)

The four ambulances, along with an additional fifth one purchased by the Slovenian Ministry of Defense, were welcomed by U.S. Ambassador to Slovenia Lynda Blanchard and Slovenian Defense Minister Matej Tonin at the Port of Koper on April 22, Defense Post reports.

The “delivery reflects the U.S. commitment to partnering with Slovenia as a trusted, reliable ally dedicated to meeting NATO force goals and ensuring the Alliance maintains the capabilities needed to promote security and stability in the region, as well as around the world”, said a statement released by the U.S. Embassy in Slovenia.

Rugged and resilient, the M997A3 is an ambulance configuration of the Humvee family. Equipped with advanced armor protection, these combat ambulances were built to reliably transport causalities from the battlefield to medical aid stations.

Capable of transporting up to four litter patients, eight ambulatory patients—or a combination of both—as well as medical personnel, equipment and a driver, the M997A3 is dependable in the face of danger.

The ambulance can be heated, ventilated, or air-conditioned, depending on environmental conditions. For operation in a nuclear, biological or chemical (NBC) environment, the M977A3 can be equipped with a Gas-Particulate Filter Unit (GPFU) with heaters capable of supporting up to seven personnel equipped with either M25 series protective masks or M13 series patient-protective masks. The GPFU sends temperature-controlled, filtered air to individual face masks, increasing protection, making breathing easier and reducing stress and heat fatigue during extended periods of NBC operation.