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U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa
U.S. Army Capt. Kylie Smith, a veterinarian assigned to Public Health Command Europe, inspects a chicken afflicted with lice during the medical readiness exercise (MEDREX) at the Ghana Armed Forces Veterinary Services in Accra, Ghana, May 20, 2025.During the MEDREX, Smith had the opportunity to work with animals she had not treated before. Part of African Lion 2025 (AL25), this MEDREX is planned and executed by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), and prepares U.S. military health professionals for the challenges of providing care outside of traditional clinical settings. By working alongside African partners, U.S. medical professionals refine their ability to deliver rapid, adaptable, and resource efficient medical care, directly increasing medical readiness for large scale combat operations.
Photo by: 1st Lt. Katherine Sibilla
Photo 2 of 4
U.S. Army Southern European Task
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Hope Cruse, an animal care specialist assigned to Public Health Command Europe, shares a moment of laughter with veterinarians from the Ghana Armed Forces Veterinary Services during the medical readiness exercise (MEDREX) in Accra, Ghana, May 20, 2025. Part of African Lion 2025 (AL25), this MEDREX is planned and executed by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), and prepares U.S. military health professionals for the challenges of providing care outside of traditional clinical settings. By working alongside African partners, U.S. medical professionals refine their ability to deliver rapid, adaptable, and resource efficient medical care, directly increasing medical readiness for large scale combat operations.
AL25, the largest annual military exercise in Africa, will take place from April 14 to May 23, 2025. Led by SETAF-AF, on behalf of U.S. Africa Command with over 10,000 troops from more than 50 nations, including seven NATO allies, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia. The exercise aims to bolster military readiness, enhance lethality, and foster stronger partnerships, ultimately improving joint capabilities in complex multi-domain environments to enable participating forces to deploy, fight, and win. (U.S. Army photo by 1st Lt. Katherine Sibilla)
Photo by: 1st Lt. Katherine Sibilla
Photo 3 of 4
U.S. Army Southern European Task
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Hope Cruse, left, an animal care specialist, and right, U.S. Army Capt. Kylie Smith, a veterinarian, both assigned to Public Health Command Europe, perform a cesarean section (C-section) on a sheep during the medical readiness exercise (MEDREX) at the in Accra, Ghana, May 20, 2025. Cruse and Smith both had the opportunity to work with animals during the MEDREX that they had not treated before. Part of African Lion 2025 (AL25), this MEDREX is planned and executed by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), and prepares U.S. military health professionals for the challenges of providing care outside of traditional clinical settings. By working alongside African partners, U.S. medical professionals refine their ability to deliver rapid, adaptable, and resource efficient medical care, directly increasing medical readiness for large scale combat operations.
Photo by: 1st Lt. Katherine Sibilla
Photo 4 of 4
U.S. Army Southern European Task
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Hope Cruse, left, an animal care specialist, and right, U.S. Army Capt. Kylie Smith, a veterinarian, both assigned to Public Health Command Europe, perform a cesarean section (C-section) on a sheep during the medical readiness exercise (MEDREX) at the in Accra, Ghana, May 20, 2025. Cruse and Smith both had the opportunity to work with animals during the MEDREX that they had not treated before. Part of African Lion 2025 (AL25), this MEDREX is planned and executed by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), and prepares U.S. military health professionals for the challenges of providing care outside of traditional clinical settings. By working alongside African partners, U.S. medical professionals refine their ability to deliver rapid, adaptable, and resource efficient medical care, directly increasing medical readiness for large scale combat operations.
Photo by: 1st Lt. Katherine Sibilla
ACCRA, Ghana — The U.S. Army Veterinary Corps is the world’s premier, globally postured, expeditionary veterinary force, elevating Warfighter readiness and protection through unparalleled execution of our dynamic Veterinary Service mission across the Joint Force.
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Hope Cruse, an animal care specialist, and U.S. Army Capt. Kylie Smith, a veterinarian, both assigned to Public Health Command Europe, joined medical and dental specialists from Landstuhl Regional Medical Center and the 48th Medical Group, 48th Fighter Wing, U.S. Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa in Ghana to conduct a medical readiness exercise (MEDREX) as part of African Lion 2025 (AL25).
Cruse and Smith both had the opportunity to work with animals during the MEDREX that they had not treated before.
MEDREX Africa is planned and executed by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), and prepares U.S. military health professionals for the challenges of providing care outside of traditional clinical settings. By working alongside African partners, U.S. medical professionals refine their ability to deliver rapid, adaptable, and resource efficient medical care, directly increasing medical readiness for large scale combat operations.
AL25, the largest annual military exercise in Africa, will take place from April 14 to May 23, 2025. Led by SETAF-AF, on behalf of U.S. Africa Command with over 10,000 troops from more than 50 nations, including seven NATO allies, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia. The exercise aims to bolster military readiness, enhance lethality, and foster stronger partnerships, ultimately improving joint capabilities in complex multi-domain environments to enable participating forces to deploy, fight, and win.
Learn more about the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps at https://medcoe.army.mil/amedd-veterinary-corps
