Vermont National Guard strengthens State Partnership Program and multinational cooperation during African Lion 2026 MEDREX in Senegal [Image 5 of 6]

ZIGUINCHOR, SENEGAL

05.05.2026

Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Christy Sherman 

National Guard Bureau

Italian Army Capt. Simone Campani, an emergency room physician, discusses patient care with Senegalese medical personnel during a multinational medical readiness exercise at the Centre Médical Interarmées in Ziguinchor, Senegal, May 5, 2026. The exercise brings together medical personnel from the United States, Senegal, Austria and Italy and supports the Vermont National Guard’s State Partnership Program relationships with Senegal and Austria through shared medical training and cooperation in resource-constrained environments. Part of African Lion 2026 (AL26), 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. AL26 is U.S. Africa Command's largest annual joint exercise, designed to strengthen collective security capabilities of the U.S., African nations and global allies. Co-led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) from April 20 to May 8, 2026, and hosted in Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, Tunisia, AL26 involves over 5,600 personnel from more than 40 nations, using innovation to drive partner-led regional security. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Christy L. Sherman)

• Date Taken: 05.05.2026
• Date Posted: 05.06.2026 21:16
• Photo ID: 9667481
• VIRIN: 260505-A-AW306-6662
• Resolution: 5162x3435
• Size: 3.24 MB
• Location: ZIGUINCHOR, SN