U.S. and Malian military personnel began a 19-day medical exercise on July 9, 2008 to exchange information and practice medical techniques. MEDFLAG 2008 is an exercise designed to improve bilateral capabilities and interoperability between U.S. and Malian forces through a combination of classroom-style and real-world training.

Approximately 90 U.S. and 100 Malian participants will review medical procedures, exchange information, and administer medical and veterinarian care to local communities. Participants will also respond to a simulated mass casualty by providing medical care and logistics support.

"MEDFLAG 08 gives us the opportunity to conduct medical training in a simulated mass casualty situation," said Lieutenant Colonel Troy McGilvra, MEDFLAG 08 commander. "In addition, the training enhances preventive medicine and public health capabilities, and provides our medical team a chance to learn from the Malian's experience with tropical diseases."

During the two-week long exercise, the medical team will focus their efforts in three phases. The first phase consists of medical training with Mali medical personnel in a variety of subject areas, including emergency medicine, triage, stabilization, evacuation, and disaster preparedness training.

During the second phase, Mali medical personnel will practice their disaster response services in a real world mass casualty scenario exercise. Using medical make-up and latex injury reproductions, realistic casualties will be created to test the Malian's medical response personnel and civilian medical teams.

Lastly, Malian and U.S. medical personnel will provide a wide range of on-site medical and surgical services in outlaying communities, to include general surgery, basic medical evaluation and treatment, preventive medicine treatment, dental screenings and treatment, optometry screenings, eyewear distribution and public health training. Additionally Army veterinarians will provide medical care to livestock.

"This exercise will help us learn from each other and expand the Africa Command vision for joint relations in a joint environment," McGilvra said. "I'm really looking forward to working with the medical teams and providing care to the local Malians who might not have had the opportunity to get care otherwise."

The MEDFLAG team consists of a full array of medical specialties from bases in Europe and the United States. The team includes: surgeons, physicians, dentists, optometrists, and public health staff. Bioenvironmental engineering staff, nurses, pharmacy staff, medical technicians and logistics and administrative specialists round out the joint service team providing care to the Malians.

"I hope we can pass on to the Malians how they can be resourceful with what they have and still provide the best care possible," said Staff Sgt. Carlos Lomeli, 48th Medical Group medical technician from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England. "I look forward to learning from their [Mali] culture and what they have to offer medically."