Features

MEDREX during African Lion 26

Story & photos by Staff Sgt. Catessa Palone
U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa
May 15, 2026
U.S. Army Col. Matthew Phillips, endodontist, Dental Health Activity – Rheinland Pfalz, conducts a forensic dentistry examination during a medical readiness exercise at the 37th Military Hospital in Accra, Ghana, May 04, 2026.  (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Catessa Palone)

ACCRA, Ghana – Ghana MEDREX, part of African Lion 26, 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.

U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Albert Nimako, emergency room combat medic, Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, assists Maj. Ian Schroeder, orthopedic surgeon, LRMC, during an open reduction and internal fixation surgery to replace a broken femur during a medical readiness exercise at the 37th Military Hospital in Accra, Ghana, May 05, 2026. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Catessa Palone)

The annual joint exercise, designed to strengthen collective security capabilities of the U.S., African nations and global allies. Taking place from April 20 to May 8, and hosted in Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia, the exercise involves over 5,600 civilian and military personnel from more than 40 nations, using innovation to drive partner-led regional security.

U.S. Army Maj. Ian Schroeder, orthopedic surgeon, Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, examines the x-rays of a broken femur during a medical readiness exercise at the 37th Military Hospital in Accra, Ghana, May 05, 2026. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Catessa Palone)
U.S. Army Col. Matthew Phillips, endodontist, Dental Health Activity – Rheinland Pfalz, performs a root canal during a medical readiness exercise at the 37th Military Hospital in Accra, Ghana, May 05, 2026. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Catessa Palone)
« Previous × Next »