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US, Moroccan airmen strengthen air battle management
STUTTGART, Germany, May 10 -- The U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa, a service component of the U.S. Africa Command, issued the following news:
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US, Moroccan airmen strengthen air battle management
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RABAT, Morocco -Beneath the surface of the city, down a series of turns and stairwells, the noise of the outside world fades. In its place, quiet intensity, low voices, and the steady rhythm of decisions being made in seconds that could matter for lives.
Inside a secure operations space April 28, 2026, U.S. Air Force and Royal Moroccan Air Force airmen leaned over consoles and
... Show Full Article
STUTTGART, Germany, May 10 -- The U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa, a service component of the U.S. Africa Command, issued the following news:
* * *
US, Moroccan airmen strengthen air battle management
*
RABAT, Morocco -Beneath the surface of the city, down a series of turns and stairwells, the noise of the outside world fades. In its place, quiet intensity, low voices, and the steady rhythm of decisions being made in seconds that could matter for lives.
Inside a secure operations space April 28, 2026, U.S. Air Force and Royal Moroccan Air Force airmen leaned over consoles andscreens, sharpening a skill few ever see, but one that shapes everything in the sky above them.
Air battle management.
It's a discipline built on precision, timing and trust. Air battle managers are responsible for command and control, guiding aircraft, tracking threats, and ensuring pilots have the situational awareness needed to execute missions safely and effectively. Their voice can determine whether an aircraft engages, maneuvers or holds.
During exercise African Lion 26, Airmen from the 123rd Air Control Squadron brought that responsibility into the classroom and simulator, training Moroccan counterparts on the fundamentals of intercepting enemy aircraft. The exercise, U.S. Africa Command's largest annual joint exercise, designed to strengthen collective security capabilities of the U.S., Africannationsand global allies.
But in Rabat, the focus narrowed to something more immediate: communication.
Inside the classroom, U.S. instructors introduced procedures, terminology, and the precise language used to relay information between controllers and pilots. Every word has a purpose. Every phrase must be understood the same way, across accents, backgrounds and experience levels.
"We conduct tactical command and control," said U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Jeremy Booher, a 123rd ACS air battle manager. "Once the aircraft are cleared from air traffic control, we make sure they have situational awareness to safely and effectively execute their mission."
Then came the transition; from theory to execution.
Split into groups, Moroccan airmen moved deeper into the facility, pairing with U.S. counterparts inside a simulator room designed to replicate real-world engagements. Screens lit up with aircraft tracks and evolving scenarios, forcing quick decisions under pressure. Instructors watched closely, ready to pause, correct and guide.
Here, mistakes aren't failures, they're opportunities.
Each simulated engagement required rapid analysis by identifying potential threats, communicating clearly and advising pilots on the right course of action. In a real-world scenario, those same decisions would unfold in seconds, carrying significant consequences.
"Lives are on the line," Booher said. "What we relay directly contributes to making the right call, whether someone should engage or not. Exercises that test these skills and give us opportunities to work together are critical to ensuring we control the airspace."
As the training progressed, confidence grew.
Students began making faster, more accurate calls. Instructors refined techniques, corrected missteps, and reinforced the importance of clarity and timing. By the end of the session, Moroccan airmen walked away with more than just knowledge. They carried a deeper understanding of how to assess threats and make decisions that could define an operation.
That shared understanding is exactly what African Lion is designed to build.
Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa, the exercise runs from April 20 to May 8, 2026, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia. With more than 5,600 participants from over 40 nations, it emphasizes innovation, interoperability, and partner-led regional security.
Back in the underground operations center in Kenitra, the screens eventually dimmed and the scenarios came to a close.
But the impact of those decisions, the ones practiced, corrected and refined, will carry far beyond the walls of that room. Because when it matters most, control of the airspace doesn't just depend on aircraft. It depends on the voices guiding them.
About African Lion
African Lion 2026 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 and Tunisia, AL26 involves over 5,600 personnel from more than 40 nations, using innovation to drive partner-led regional security.
African Lion content can be found on the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS).
About SETAF-AF
U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) prepares Army forces, executes crisis response, enables strategic competition and strengthens partners to achieve U.S. Army Europe and Africa and U.S. Africa Command campaign objectives.
Follow SETAF-AF on: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn & DVIDS
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Original text here: https://www.army.mil/article/292326/us_moroccan_airmen_strengthen_air_battle_management
Trump Administration proposes rule to expand access to fertility benefits with new legal pathway for employers to offer benefits directly to employees
WASHINGTON, May 10 -- The U.S. Department of Labor issued the following news release:
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Trump Administration proposes rule to expand access to fertility benefits with new legal pathway for employers to offer benefits directly to employees
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The U.S. departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Treasury announced a proposed rule that would create a new category of limited excepted benefits to further expand the ability of employers to offer meaningful fertility benefits to their employees.
The proposed rule is a central component of the Trump administration's efforts to expand
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, May 10 -- The U.S. Department of Labor issued the following news release:
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Trump Administration proposes rule to expand access to fertility benefits with new legal pathway for employers to offer benefits directly to employees
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The U.S. departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Treasury announced a proposed rule that would create a new category of limited excepted benefits to further expand the ability of employers to offer meaningful fertility benefits to their employees.
The proposed rule is a central component of the Trump administration's efforts to expandAmerican families' access to fertility benefits. It builds upon President Trump's Executive Order " Expanding Access to In Vitro Fertilization," which announced that it is the policy of the administration to ensure reliable and affordable access to in vitro fertilization to support American families.
"Under President Trump's leadership, we are delivering on our promises to the American worker and their families," said Acting Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling. "President Trump is committed to expanding access to fertility benefits so that more American families can have children, building on his longstanding efforts to support family formation and stability. The Department of Labor is proud to have led this important initiative on behalf of the President and his administration."
"The decline in birth rates is a serious challenge for our nation," said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. "Under President Trump's leadership, this rule expands access to fertility care and gives more Americans a real path to starting and growing their families. I appreciate my colleagues at the Departments of Labor and Treasury as we work together to deliver on this critical issue."
This proposal addresses employers' sparse coverage of fertility-related treatments for the American worker and increases benefit options by easing statutory and regulatory burdens to make IVF and other fertility treatments more affordable. Though most workers of reproductive age receive healthcare coverage through their jobs, the majority do not have robust fertility coverage.
The proposed rule would establish a new category of limited excepted benefits. Excepted benefits are generally exempt from the market reforms under the Affordable Care Act and certain other federal health care coverage laws. This new category would apply limiting principles similar to those already in place for other limited excepted benefits.
The proposed rule sets a few main requirements for the benefits:
* Substantially all of the benefits must be for diagnosis, mitigation, or treatment of infertility or related reproductive health conditions.
* Benefits are capped at a combined lifetime maximum of up to $120,000 for the participant and their beneficiaries, indexed for inflation for plan years starting after 2028.
* Employers must provide a notice that clearly describes the coverage and meets other specified requirements.
Comments are due 60 days from its publication in the Federal Register.
Read the notice of proposed rulemaking on limited excepted fertility benefits.
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Original text here: https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/ebsa/ebsa20260510
Trump Administration Launches Moms.Gov for New and Expecting Mothers
WASHINGTON, May 10 -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued the following news release:
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Trump Administration Launches Moms.Gov for New and Expecting Mothers
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On Mother's Day, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services launched Moms.gov, links to an external website, a groundbreaking website for new and expecting mothers. This first-of-its-kind resource offers guidance and information to support the health and well-being of mothers and their families.
Moms.gov also supports expecting parents who are navigating difficult or unexpected pregnancies. It features
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, May 10 -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued the following news release:
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Trump Administration Launches Moms.Gov for New and Expecting Mothers
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On Mother's Day, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services launched Moms.gov, links to an external website, a groundbreaking website for new and expecting mothers. This first-of-its-kind resource offers guidance and information to support the health and well-being of mothers and their families.
Moms.gov also supports expecting parents who are navigating difficult or unexpected pregnancies. It featuresinformation about pregnancy centers, Federally Qualified Health Centers, nutritional guidance, Trump Accounts, and other resources that allow maternal and infant health to thrive.
"This Mother's Day, the Trump Administration is strengthening its commitment to America's families by equipping mothers and fathers with the resources and information they need to build healthy, prosperous lives," said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. "Moms.gov delivers critical tools and support to help parents foster healthy pregnancies, strengthen young families, and create brighter futures for their children. This is how you Make America Healthy Again."
"On Mother's Day, we recognize that the health of mothers and the health of women are deeply connected" said Deputy Assistant Secretary for Women's Health Dorothy Fink, MD. Through our Perinatal Improvement Collaborative, opens in a new tab opens in a new tab, we have reduced maternal mortality by 41.5%. We remain committed to supporting women's health throughout motherhood and at every stage of life,"
Moms.Gov is an easy-to-navigate platform that features information on:
* Support Services and Health Centers (Pregnancy Centers and FQHCs).
* Nutrition quick facts for mothers based on the Dietary Guideline for Americans.
* Trump Accounts.
* Trump Rx.
* Resources for women and parents.
* Preconception health.
* Breastfeeding.
* Mental health.
* Adoption.
To Make America Healthy Again means providing the chance for families to excel physically, mentally, and in their social and spiritual well-being. Moms.gov is an important new federal resource in support of that goal.
***
Original text here: https://www.hhs.gov/press-room/trump-administration-launches-moms-gov-for-new-and-expecting-mothers.html
Fast, precise, ready: US, Moroccan airmen strengthen airlift capability
STUTTGART, Germany, May 10 -- The U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa, a service component of the U.S. Africa Command, issued the following news:
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Fast, precise, ready: US, Moroccan airmen strengthen airlift capability
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KENITRA, Morocco -The sun presses down hard on the flightline, heat rising in waves from the concrete as wind cuts sharply across the open expanse. Behind a humming C-130 Hercules, airmen stand poised, measured, focused and alert. Every movement matters here. Every signal counts.
That intensity carried a deeper purpose April 27, 2026.
Airmen from the U.S.
... Show Full Article
STUTTGART, Germany, May 10 -- The U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa, a service component of the U.S. Africa Command, issued the following news:
* * *
Fast, precise, ready: US, Moroccan airmen strengthen airlift capability
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KENITRA, Morocco -The sun presses down hard on the flightline, heat rising in waves from the concrete as wind cuts sharply across the open expanse. Behind a humming C-130 Hercules, airmen stand poised, measured, focused and alert. Every movement matters here. Every signal counts.
That intensity carried a deeper purpose April 27, 2026.
Airmen from the U.S.Air Force and Royal Moroccan Air Force stood shoulder-to-shoulder, preparing to execute engine running on and offloading procedures, also known as ERO, a high-risk, high-reward capability that allows cargo to be loaded or unloaded while an aircraft's engines remain running. It's fast, it's efficient and if done incorrectly, it's unforgiving.
The risks are real. Exhaust pulsations can tip unsecured cargo. Engines can pull in anything, or anyone, too close. Communication must be precise, deliberate, and understood across languages and experience levels. There is no margin for hesitation.
Earlier, inside a classroom in Kenitra, aerial porters from the 88th Aerial Port Squadron, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, laid the groundwork, teaching communication techniques, hand signals and safety protocols essential to ERO operations. But knowledge alone isn't enough. Out here, under the roar of engines and the pressure of execution, training becomes instinct.
As the aircraft was towed into position, the classroom lessons transitioned into action. U.S. and Moroccan airmen moved in sync, translating instruction into execution, hand signals exchanged, cargo guided carefully into place, eyes constantly scanning for hazards.
What began as a lesson quickly became a shared operation.
In less than an hour, the aircraft was loaded. More importantly, a new capability had taken root.
ERO operations reduce the need for aircraft shutdowns, cutting down on time, fuel consumption, and procedural delays. In real-world scenarios, that speed can mean the difference between mission success and failure, delivering critical equipment exactly when and where it's needed.
But beyond the efficiency gains, the value lies in the partnership.
"We had a great time. Everyone learned proper hand signals and how to safely get the gear onboard," Pacheco said. "Long-term, this skill should be something that would benefit everyone it could affect, if it were ever needed."
That shared investment in readiness is at the heart of exercise African Lion 2026, U.S. Africa Command's largest annual joint exercise. Bringing together more than 5,600 civilian and military personnel from over 40 nations, the exercise spans Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia, emphasizing interoperability, innovation, and partner-led regional security.
Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), African Lion is more than a demonstration of capability, it's a commitment. A commitment to building trust, strengthening alliances, and ensuring that when the mission calls, forces across continents can respond as one.
Back on the flightline in Kenitra, the engines quieted, but the impact remained.
In the span of 45 minutes, a procedure was taught. A partnership was strengthened. And a shared readiness, built through sweat, precision, and trust, moved one step closer to reality.
About African Lion
African Lion 2026 is U.S. Africa Comman d'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 and Tunisia, AL26 involves over 5,600 personnel from more than 40 nations, using innovation to drive partner-led regional security.
African Lion content can be found on the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS).
About SETAF-AF
U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) prepares Army forces, executes crisis response, enables strategic competition and strengthens partners to achieve U.S. Army Europe and Africa and U.S. Africa Command campaign objectives.
Follow SETAF-AF on: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn & DVIDS
***
Original text here: https://www.army.mil/article/292332/fast_precise_ready_us_moroccan_airmen_strengthen_airlift_capability
Digital medical tool enhances patient care during African Lion 26 in Morocco
STUTTGART, Germany, May 10 -- The U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa, a service component of the U.S. Africa Command, issued the following news:
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Digital medical tool enhances patient care during African Lion 26 in Morocco
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TAN-TAN, Morocco - U.S. military medical personnel are leveraging a digital application to improve patient care and documentation during African Lion 26 at Cap Draa, Tan-Tan, Morocco, April 29, 2026.
The Battlefield Assisted Trauma Distribution Observation Kit-Joint, also known as BATDOK-J, is a mobile application designed to streamline medical documentation
... Show Full Article
STUTTGART, Germany, May 10 -- The U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa, a service component of the U.S. Africa Command, issued the following news:
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Digital medical tool enhances patient care during African Lion 26 in Morocco
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TAN-TAN, Morocco - U.S. military medical personnel are leveraging a digital application to improve patient care and documentation during African Lion 26 at Cap Draa, Tan-Tan, Morocco, April 29, 2026.
The Battlefield Assisted Trauma Distribution Observation Kit-Joint, also known as BATDOK-J, is a mobile application designed to streamline medical documentationin deployed environments. The system is being utilized by medical teams, including support from the 946th Forward Resuscitative Surgical Detachment, to enhance continuity of care across multiple levels of treatment.
The 946th FRSD personnel are providing critical medical support throughout the exercise while integrating emerging technologies like BATDOK-J into their workflow.
According to Sabrina Hatchett, an augmentee with U.S. Air Force Medical Command's Surgeon General 6, the application allows providers to document patient care efficiently in both online and offline environments.
The application syncs with the operational medical data store, a cloud based system that stores patient information and integrates with Military Health System GENESIS, the Department of War's electronic health record system. This capability enables seamless information sharing as patients move through different levels of care.
"If someone is documented at the point of injury and then moved to another level of care, the incoming provider can already see what documentation has been done," Hatchett said. "That should help save time and, hopefully, save lives."
U.S. Army Capt. Ashwin Venkataraman, a medical officer in charge assigned to 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Mobile Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), said the application also improves continuity of care in resource limited environments.
"This information is centralized and can be pulled from anywhere there's an internet connection," Venkatraman said. "The patient record will follow the patient electronically instead of relying on paper forms that can get lost or misfiled."
Hatchett emphasized the importance of accurate documentation in both immediate care and long-term outcomes.
"If it's not documented, it didn't happen," she said. "This helps ensure patients get the care they deserve, both in the moment and later on."
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. 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 and Tunisia, AL26 involves over 5,600civilian and military personnel from more than 40 nations, using innovation to drive partner-led regional security.
About African Lion
African Lion 2026 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 and Tunisia, AL26 involves over 5,600 personnel from more than 40 nations, using innovation to drive partner-led regional security.
African Lion content can be found on the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS).
About SETAF-AF
U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) prepares Army forces, executes crisis response, enables strategic competition and strengthens partners to achieve U.S. Army Europe and Africa and U.S. Africa Command campaign objectives.
Follow SETAF-AF on: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn & DVIDS
***
Original text here: https://www.army.mil/article/292331/digital_medical_tool_enhances_patient_care_during_african_lion_26_in_morocco
DHA-GEIS strengthens biosurveillance, force health protection during African Lion 26
STUTTGART, Germany, May 10 -- The U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa, a service component of the U.S. Africa Command, issued the following news:
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DHA-GEIS strengthens biosurveillance, force health protection during African Lion 26
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AGADIR, Morocco -A coalition of U.S. military and research organizations deliver integrated biosurveillance support, strengthening commanders' situational awareness and directly bolstering mission readiness during African Lion 26, April 20-May 8, 2026.
The Defense Health Agency's Global Emerging Infections Surveillance program coordinated subject
... Show Full Article
STUTTGART, Germany, May 10 -- The U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa, a service component of the U.S. Africa Command, issued the following news:
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DHA-GEIS strengthens biosurveillance, force health protection during African Lion 26
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AGADIR, Morocco -A coalition of U.S. military and research organizations deliver integrated biosurveillance support, strengthening commanders' situational awareness and directly bolstering mission readiness during African Lion 26, April 20-May 8, 2026.
The Defense Health Agency's Global Emerging Infections Surveillance program coordinated subjectmatter experts and laboratory partners from Walter Reed Army Institute of Research-Africa ; Naval Medical Research Unit, Navy Region Europe, Africa, Central; the 1st Global Field Medical Laboratory; and the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases. Together they provided pre-exercise risk assessments, rapid laboratory analysis and real-time reporting that commanders and medical planners used to protect forces.
Operating as a network, DHA-GEIS places experts and laboratory capability where commanders need them to make timely decisions. The multi-organization approach shortens detection-to-response timelines and enables first-line medical care to adjust treatment protocols during exercises, preserving force health and sustaining mission capability.
DHA-GEIS is building a collaboration with the 1st GFML to build mutual familiarity and interoperability with service-specific deployable lab assets. DHA-GEIS either folds the 1st GFML into comprehensive efforts such as AL26 or synchronizes surveillance streams in future exercises to create a highly efficient, unified approach to force health protection, allowing partner organizations to share capabilities and streamline lab support so commanders receive faster, more actionable results.
"Biosurveillance gives commanders information on what biothreats Soldiers are being exposed to and what risks are in the region that could affect Soldiers," said U.S. Army Col. Dennison S. Segui, commander of 1st GFML. "Active biosurveillance allows commanders to respond to threats confirmed as present at that time and place, giving greater flexibility to achieve operational goals without being limited by a force health protection posture for threats that are not present."
The partnership model builds long-term familiarity between combat forces and laboratory partners, ensuring units can rely on reach-back support when specialized teams cannot deploy forward. That continuity increases force resilience during both training and operations and reduces friction when commanders need rapid health protection guidance.
Lessons from African Lion will refine laboratory reach-back workflows and shape future support packages for exercises such as Justified Accord and Flintlock. DHA-GEIS will continue embedding subject matter experts and synchronizing partner labs to sustain readiness across allies and partners.
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Original text here: https://www.army.mil/article/292328/dha_geis_strengthens_biosurveillance_force_health_protection_during_african_lion_26
A cry in the desert: in a moment of firsts, decades of partnership made the difference
STUTTGART, Germany, May 10 -- The U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa, a service component of the U.S. Africa Command, issued the following news:
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A cry in the desert: in a moment of firsts, decades of partnership made the difference
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EL FAID, Morocco - U.S. service members and the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces are redefining what partnership looks like through shared expertise, innovation and expanding access to impactful care, under a network of expeditionary medical tents in central Morocco, April 20- May 8, 2026.
The humanitarian civic assistance site, part of African Lion
... Show Full Article
STUTTGART, Germany, May 10 -- The U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa, a service component of the U.S. Africa Command, issued the following news:
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A cry in the desert: in a moment of firsts, decades of partnership made the difference
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EL FAID, Morocco - U.S. service members and the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces are redefining what partnership looks like through shared expertise, innovation and expanding access to impactful care, under a network of expeditionary medical tents in central Morocco, April 20- May 8, 2026.
The humanitarian civic assistance site, part of African Lion26, has become a cornerstone of medical readiness and partner entrustment. AL26 brings together military medical professionals from both the U.S. and Morocco to deliver care side by side. African Lion, led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), is Africa Command's largest annual joint event. It spans four countries and includes more than 5,600 personnel from over 40 nations, all working to strengthen regional security through collaboration and innovation.
Each day, more than 1,000 patients pass through the tents of the HCA site, receiving care that often requires multiple interventions, and totaling between 2,000 and 3,000 procedures daily. Approximately 55% of patients are women, 30% men, and 15% are children.
Shared experiences and historic firsts define this year's operation. On April 30, 2026, U.S. and Moroccan medical teams performed the first emergency cesarean section at the HCA site, a milestone that underscores both the evolution of the exercise and the strength of the partnership behind it.
Lt. Ahlam Abbassi, a gynecologist-obstetrician with the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces, described the urgency of the situation. "Our facility mainly receives pregnant women for their check-ups and follow-up care," Abbassi said. "Yesterday, we received a 35-year-old woman who was 35 weeks pregnant. We did her check-up, her body exam, and her ultrasonography, followed by fetal cardiotocographic monitoring that showed the baby had fetal distress with severe bradycardia."
With little time to spare, a combined team of U.S. and Moroccan medical personnel assembled and acted quickly.
The multinational team, including the Moroccan medical team, Dr. Saad Benali, Dr. Abbassi, and midwives, and U.S. personnel worked in unison. Inside the operating tent, the moment carried a weight felt by everyone present. As the baby was delivered, the room fell silent. U.S. and Moroccan service members stood shoulder to shoulder, holding their breath, waiting.
"The C-section proceeded smoothly and efficiently," Abbassi said. "It was a truly emotional moment when the baby cried for the first time. Fortunately, the baby and the mother are in good condition, thanks to the coordinated efforts of Moroccan and U.S. service members."
When the newborn cried, the silence broke into cheers. The work, however, was far from over. While Moroccan surgeons continued to care for the mother, a joint U.S. and Moroccan team immediately shifted focus to the newborn, who showed signs of distress.
"He wasn't crying rapidly," said U.S. Army Col. Marcus Blackburn, a pediatrician with Utah National Guard and doctor for the HCA site. "He was very low tone and floppy, so they brought it to us. Luckily, we had some of the equipment that we needed. They actually had a warmer here. We were able to stimulate the baby, get him to start breathing better. He still had fluid in his lungs, so we ended up having to give some positive pressure breaths to help clear the lungs and get it to be more vigorous."
Blackburn and his team, which included personnel with neonatal intensive care experience, were called in to assist. The team's ability to respond quickly was bolstered by both innovation and the diverse expertise service members bring to the mission. Both U.S. and Moroccan medical personnel played an equally critical role.
"We had to transport the baby to a local hospital to receive further care, but with the staff that we have and the variety of experience that we had here, with so many soldiers being in different civilian occupations, we had a U.S. [neonatal intensive care unit] nurse, and a Moroccan resuscitation nurse who works in a local newborn nursery, so the baby was able to do quite well."
As the newborn stabilized, the Moroccan resuscitation nurse and two U.S. service members accompanied the baby to a local hospital, monitoring closely and prepared to intervene if necessary. Before leaving the HCA site, the mother kissed her baby and announced that she named her baby after the surgeon who saved their lives. On May 2, 2026, as the mother recovered at the HCA site, U.S. and Moroccan service members visited the mother to check on her condition and present small gifts, continuing the care beyond the operating room.
"Obviously, we weren't expecting that to be a part of what we accomplished here," Blackburn said, "but the team came together really well to provide the care that was necessary."
Adaptability, shared purpose and mutual respect define the HCA mission. Beyond emergency care, the site is a dynamic exchange of knowledge and capability-building. U.S. and Moroccan personnel train side by side, sharing techniques that strengthen both forces long after the exercise ends.
Additional firsts that occurred at the HCA site include U.S. Army Lt. Col. Timothy Soeken, an ophthalmology surgeon, who introduced a small-incision cataract surgery technique to his Moroccan counterpart, expanding ophthalmologic capability; and U.S. Army Cpt. Kirk Waldron, a physician for the HCA site, who demonstrated trigger point injections, offering an alternative for long-term musculoskeletal pain management. Moroccan surgeons, in turn, trained U.S. medics in procedures such as suturing following cyst removal, reinforcing the two-way nature of the partnership.
"We see the same people every time we come back here," said Col. Wesley Tillmann, commander of the Utah National Guard Medical Readiness Detachment. "We see the same doctors, the same command, and we get to build that relationship. The big difference for us is we get to heal people."
Each year, the HCA continues to evolve, with improved laboratory turnaround times, expanded surgical capacity, and new equipment, enhancing both readiness and patient outcomes. A huge factor in enhancing the capabilities of the site are based on the specialists who participate at the site. Specialized teams from across the U.S. military medical community, including providers from Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, as well as individuals from Fort Bliss, Texas, and Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, brought advanced surgical and diagnostic capabilities to the site, reflecting both patient demand and a shared commitment to long-term community wellness. For leaders overseeing the mission, the significance extends beyond individual procedures.
This partnership, forged over decades between the U.S. and Morocco, including the enduring ties with the Utah National Guard, continues to deepen through missions like the HCA, where readiness and relationships are strengthened through real-world care. Surrounded by tents, sand, and language barriers, readiness was tested, partnership was strengthened, and a life was saved: a powerful reminder of what is possible through years of friendship, shared knowledge, and trust.
About African Lion
African Lion 2026 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 and Tunisia, AL26 involves over 5,600 personnel from more than 40 nations, using innovation to drive partner-led regional security.
African Lion content can be found on the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS).
About SETAF-AF
U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) prepares Army forces, executes crisis response, enables strategic competition and strengthens partners to achieve U.S. Army Europe and Africa and U.S. Africa Command campaign objectives.
Follow SETAF-AF on: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn & DVIDS
***
Original text here: https://www.army.mil/article/292329/a_cry_in_the_desert_in_a_moment_of_firsts_decades_of_partnership_made_the_difference
