TAFRAOUTE, Morocco – U.S. Air National Guard members in Morocco for the African Lion 2021 exercise provided medical care to children at the Military Medical Surgical Field Hospital June 7-17.
The Airmen offered well-child checks and basic pediatric care as part of the humanitarian civic assistance portion of AL21.
“Working in pediatrics is very rewarding,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Nicole Christiano, a physician with the 146th Airlift Wing, California Air National Guard. “It can be difficult because children oftentimes cannot vocalize what is wrong with them as well as adults can, but it is often relatively straightforward to treat and they get so happy.”
Seeing the children brought smiles to everyone’s faces, said Christiano.
U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Holly McLelland, a medic with the 151st Air Refueling Wing, Utah Air National Guard, worked in pediatrics during part of the exercise. Although initially concerned it would be sad or difficult to work with the children, McLelland said it ended up being one of her favorite sections of the field hospital.
“I got to help the children stay calm,“ said McClellan. “I was able to reassure the kids and help ease the parents’ anxiety as well.”
In addition to providing medical care, Christiano said she talked with parents about keeping kids healthy.
“There is so much we can do to assist the population with preventative measures,” she said.
The African Lion exercise allowed the U.S. military medical providers to work with their Moroccan counterparts to provide a humanitarian service while sharing knowledge and best practices.
“I have learned a lot from the Moroccan providers,” said Christiano. “They have been very generous with teaching us about the common diseases and maladies that occur here and how to treat them.”
African Lion 2021, U.S. Africa Command’s largest annual exercise, was hosted by Morocco, Tunisia and Senegal, June 7-18. More than 7,000 participants from nine nations and NATO trained together with a focus on enhancing readiness.