This yr, eight medical personnel participated throughout the 5 train zones in western Africa. In Senegal, the crew shared vital care strategies to members of the Senegalese Navy aboard the Senegalese patrol ship, Fouladou.
“The partnerships that we now have developed right here at Obangame Categorical 2022 with international nations permit us to share essential expertise to nations that will not have the identical medical infrastructure we now have,” mentioned Cmdr. Javier Agraz, senior medical officer for OE22. “By sharing what we all know, we may probably save a life.”
The crew additionally managed a medical clinic on the Senegalese Naval Headquarters in Dakar, Senegal all through the train.
“As the first medical crew throughout the train, our essential precedence is to offer affected person care,” mentioned Agraz. “We try to ensure that service members keep wholesome and are supplied with correct therapy if wanted.”
Hospital Corpsman (HM) 2nd Class Alexis Guerr and third Class Mary Nyangenya additionally labored with Agraz in Dakar, Senegal. Not like Agraz, this was Guerra and Nyangenya’s first time collaborating in a large-scale train.
“This expertise goes to stay with me,” mentioned Guerra. “The engagement I had coaching the Senegalese crew on the Fouladou was unimaginable. With the ability to share information with one another is rewarding.”
For Nyangenya, interacting with companions from many countries has been enriching.
“It’s been eye-opening,” mentioned Nyangenya. “I’ve seen folks from totally different nations come collectively to be taught from one another.”
Sponsored by U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), OE22 is designed to enhance regional cooperation, maritime area consciousness (MDA), information-sharing practices, and tactical interdiction experience to boost the collective capabilities of collaborating nations to counter sea-based illicit exercise.
The 32 nations collaborating this yr embody Angola, Belgium, Benin, Brazil, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Canada, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Denmark, Equatorial Guinea, France, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Italy, Liberia, Morocco, Namibia, Netherlands, Nigeria, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Congo, Sao Tome & Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Spain, Togo, and the USA. Additionally collaborating would be the Financial Neighborhood of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Financial Neighborhood of Central African States (ECCAS).
U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, U.S. Sixth Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the complete spectrum of joint and naval operations, typically in live performance with allied and interagency companions with a purpose to advance U.S. nationwide pursuits and safety and stability in Europe and Africa.
