Photo By Maj. Marie Denson | U.S. Air Force Col. Benjamin Uhl, 132nd Wing, Iowa Air National Guard, helps a patient...... read more read more
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ANZI, Morocco – Each morning, a growing crowd gathers outside one of the most visited tents at the humanitarian civic assistance (HCA) event during exercise African Lion 2025 (AL25) – drawn by a chance at better vision.
U.S. Air Force Col. Benjamin Uhl, an optometrist assigned to the 132nd Wing, Iowa National Guard, joins the HCA eye care professionals team to bring clarity to hundreds of Moroccans daily.
“Our main role here is to provide prescription glasses to Moroccans who otherwise have no access,” said Uhl. “We’re seeing around 450 patients a day. What’s amazing is how something so simple can be so life-changing.”
While most patients come in with blurry vision, many leave with their first pair of prescribed eyeglasses, often reacting with smiles. Uhl says it is a moment that never gets old.
“One of the stories that plays out over and over is with women who sew and care for their families. Many haven’t been able to see anything up close in years,” Uhl explained. “We hand them a basic pair of reading glasses and, suddenly, they’re able to work again—cook, read, and repair clothes. It’s empowering in the most basic but impactful way.”
Unlike a typical clinical setting in the U.S., the optometry tent has the basic equipment required to provide eye exams and minor eye surgeries.
“It forces us to go back to the basics,” he said. “It’s a great reminder of how resourceful we can be in austere environments, which is essential training for real-world deployments.”
This mission marks Uhl’s first time participating in AL25. However, he has years of experience through Iowa’s Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) program. Coming to Morocco has been a personal and professional milestone for him.
IRT is a U.S. military program that enhances readiness by providing real-world training opportunities through service projects that benefit local communities, strengthen military-civilian partnerships and enhance professional skills.
“I’ve been trying to get on this mission for years. I hit my 20-year mark in the National Guard just a few days ago while I was here,” he said. “It’s been an incredible opportunity to serve, to connect with the Moroccan people, and to train alongside other U.S. and Moroccan forces.”
Uhl said working in a joint, multinational environment has been one of the most enriching aspects of the mission. He also formed connections with Moroccan military members who have played a vital role in bridging communication gaps with local civilians.
Although the 151st Medical Group (151 MDG), Utah Air National Guard, are the lead planners and participants for the HCA mission, the efforts bring together personnel from beyond the Utah National Guard to assist and support the operation.
“We brought a lot of people from different units,” said Master Sgt. Alan Stettler, first sergeant of the 151 MDG. “It’s been great to see everybody mold and work together and really function as a team.”
Despite the personal cost—time away from civilian practices, family, and the financial strain of closing private clinics temporarily—Uhl says the sacrifice is worth it.
“We all know what we’re signing up for,” he said. “It’s a challenge, but the reward is in the smiles and the difference we make.”
As the team continues its mission, Uhl says the feedback from the local population speaks for itself.
“I asked one of our Moroccan partners if the glasses were working and he said, ‘You don’t have to ask,”’ said Uhl. ‘“Just look at their faces—they’re smiling.’ That’s all I need.”
AL25, the largest annual military exercise in Africa, will take place from April 14 to May 23, 2025. Led by 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.
| Date Taken: | 05.17.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 05.30.2025 07:21 |
| Story ID: | 498417 |
| Location: | ANZI, MA |
| Web Views: | 47 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Seeing clearly: Iowa Guardsman brings vision care to Moroccans at African Lion 2025, by Maj. Marie Denson, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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