U.S. Army Africa kicks off first MEDRETE for 2017: American, Senegalese medical professionals treat patients, hone skills
Nurse anesthetist Lt. Col. Edward Alexander, from the 332nd Medical Brigade in Nashville, Tenn., adds prophylactic antibiotics to saline solution prior to a leg realignment surgery during Medical Readiness Training Exercise 17-1 at Hospital Militaire De Ouakam in Dakar, Senegal, Jan. 17, 2017. MEDRETE is a combined effort between the Senegalese government, U.S. Army Africa, the U.S. Army Reserve 332nd Medical Brigade in Nashville, Tenn., and the Vermont Air National Guard. MEDRETE 17-1 is the first in a series of medical readiness training exercises that U.S. Army Africa is scheduled to facilitate within various countries in Africa, and serves as an opportunity for the partnered militaries to hone and strengthen their general surgery and trauma skills while reinforcing the partnership between the countries. The mutually beneficial exercise brings together Senegalese military and U.S. Army medical professionals to foster cooperation while conducting medical specific tasks.