MEDFLAG 09 provides veterinary attention to Swaziland villages

Photo By Master Sgt. Lesley Waters | A Swaziland medical member shows Army Staff Sgt. Jaime Green, U.S. Army Africa G-6, how to use the adjustable spray nozzle to apply the Pour-on antiparasitic medication to the cattle during a veterinary civil assistance project as part of exercise MEDFLAG 09 in Hhohho Village, Swaziland, on Aug. 5. The U.S. and Swazi medical teams applied the antiparasitic medication to 2,636 cattle and 1,428 goats during the two-day visit. MEDFLAG is a joint and combined military exercise between the USDF and U.S. Army Africa that supports the U.S. Africa Command commander's Theater Security Cooperation strategy wherein USAFRICOM components send medical capabilities to African countries.  

HHOHHO, SWAZILAND

08.06.2009

Story by Tech. Sgt. Lesley Waters 

Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa

HHOHHO, Swaziland — Service members from the 404th Civil Affairs Battalion, U.S. Army Africa and Africa Command partnered with members of the Umbotfo Swaziland Defence Force and Swaziland Department of Health during a two-day veterinary civil assistance project as part of MEDFLAG 09 exercise here, Aug. 5-6.

MEDFLAG is a joint and combined military exercise that supports the AFRICOM commander's Theater Security Cooperation strategy wherein AFRICOM components send medical capabilities to African countries. The exercise consists of three phases: classroom training, a mass casualty exercise and humanitarian and civic assistance events, to include medical, dental and veterinary assistance to the people of Swaziland.

"While some of us completed the classroom training with our Swazi partners for the upcoming MASCAL, my three-person veterinary team worked with the USDF and ministry of health members and applied Pour-on antiparacitides externally to the cattle and a oral drench for the goats," said Maj. Michael Simpson, member of the 404th Civil Affairs Battalion, Fort Dix, NJ and MEDFLAG 09 veterinary officer in charge.

The direct pour-on skin solution is intended to eliminate parasites, in particular Lucilia cuprina or "blowfly" which is commonly found in cattle and goats in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

The U.S. service members and Swazi medical team treated 2,636 cattle and 1,428 goats during the two days.

"This was a great opportunity for us to work with the U.S. and its military," said Swaziland Veterinary Surgeon Dr. Prince Danso. "We look forward to visiting the other villages and treating the villagers' livestock. "It's not every day we get to work with the U.S. military. We hope we can continue this partnership in the future."

The U.S. and Swazi medical teams are scheduled to conduct four more VETCAPs in three other villages in the country next week.

• Date Taken: 08.06.2009
• Date Posted: 08.15.2009 09:34
• Story ID: 37534
• Location: HHOHHO, SZ