U.S. Army Southern European Task

U.S. Army Col. Marin J. Lucenti III, Vermont State Surgeon converses with Dr. Binta Diop Badiane, Director, Tivaouane Hospital, during introductions at the start of a medical readiness exercise called MEDREX Senegal 2023. Lucenti is part of a 40-person U.S. medical team working alongside Senegalese hospital professionals at the Thies Regional Hospital and two smaller hospitals in and around Thies, Senegal over the two-week exercise. MEDREX is a program designed and overseen by the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) that allows medical personnel from the U.S. military and partner nations to exchange medical procedures and strengthen treatment capabilities. The exercise exposes participants to unique medical delivery methods, and ultimately improves their capacity to assess and deliver medical care. MEDREX Senegal 2023 is organized and executed by the Vermont National Guard State Partnership Program (SPP) and administered by the National Guard Bureau. The Vermont National Guard and Senegal have been partnered through SPP since 2008. (U.S. Army photo by Cpl. Alisha Grezlik)