Navy medics reach out in Africa

More than 100 U.S. military medical and support members deployed to Garoua, Cameroon, and Libreville, Gabon, July 11 to begin this year's West African Training Cruise Medical Outreach Program.

This annual exercise conducted between the United States and various West African nations is designed to improve cooperation and interoperability between participating military medical personnel through joint training, scientific contact, the interchange of medical procedures and the provision of humanitarian assistance to rural populations.

During the program, medical service units from Cameroon and Gabon will join U.S. Navy Sailors from the Operational Health Support Unit Great Lakes to conduct medical training, execute mass casualty simulation, facilitate medical civic action opportunities and observe cultural exchanges.

This medical outreach program "gives the United States an opportunity to show its concern for the people of western Africa with exercises focusing on their health, well-being and the prevention of AIDS," said Navy Captain Elisabeth Wolfe, mission commander for the program. "This is a very visible reminder of American commitment and goodwill to the region. Peacetime defense and security cooperation activities by our forces enhance regional cooperation and self-reliance, as well as demonstrating commitment and improving collective military
capabilities."