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	Merging Civil Affairs and Medical Exercises for long-term success
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        <h1 class="title">Merging Civil Affairs and Medical Exercises for long-term success</h1>
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            <img src="https://media.defense.gov/2016/Aug/08/2001598414/1920/1080/0/160729-F-JB386-056.JPG"
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                 alt="A young girl has her ear inspected by U.S. Army Spc. Kerry Holmes, Joint Task Force-Bravo Medical Element medic, during a Medical Readiness Training Exercise operation in Trujillo, Honduras, July 29, 2016. MEDEL conducts MEDRETEs throughout Central America to provide a variety of medical services to the local populations, who otherwise would be unable to receive medical care from licensed providers. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Siuta B. Ika)"
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            <div class="image-title">Colon MEDRETE</div>
            <div class="image-caption">A young girl has her ear inspected by U.S. Army Spc. Kerry Holmes, Joint Task Force-Bravo Medical Element medic, during a Medical Readiness Training Exercise operation in Trujillo, Honduras, July 29, 2016. MEDEL conducts MEDRETEs throughout Central America to provide a variety of medical services to the local populations, who otherwise would be unable to receive medical care from licensed providers. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Siuta B. Ika)</div>
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                 alt="U.S. Army Lt. Col. Glenn Kozelka (far left), operations director for Joint Task Force-Bravo, and U.S. Army Major Rosemary Reed (left), Civil Military Operations deputy director for JTF-Bravo, pose for a photo with two Honduran Police Officers during a Medical Readiness Training Exercise in the village of La Boveda, Trujillo, July 29, 2016. A total of 1,072 patients of all ages received treatment during the two-day event that involved key leaders from both JTF-Bravo and Honduras. (U.S. Army photo by Maria Pinel)"
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            <div class="image-caption">U.S. Army Lt. Col. Glenn Kozelka (far left), operations director for Joint Task Force-Bravo, and U.S. Army Major Rosemary Reed (left), Civil Military Operations deputy director for JTF-Bravo, pose for a photo with two Honduran Police Officers during a Medical Readiness Training Exercise in the village of La Boveda, Trujillo, July 29, 2016. A total of 1,072 patients of all ages received treatment during the two-day event that involved key leaders from both JTF-Bravo and Honduras. (U.S. Army photo by Maria Pinel)</div>
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                 alt="U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Melissa Glaser, Joint Task Force-Bravo Medical Element medic, and 1st Lt. Jenniffer Rodriguez, JTF-Bravo MEDEL medical surgical nurse, administer antibiotics to a young boy during a Medical Readiness Training Exercise operation in Trujillo, Honduras, July 29, 2016. U.S. military personnel from JTF-Bravo have been conducting MEDRETEs since 1993 and have treated more than 326,000 medical patients. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Siuta B. Ika)"
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            <div class="image-caption">U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Melissa Glaser, Joint Task Force-Bravo Medical Element medic, and 1st Lt. Jenniffer Rodriguez, JTF-Bravo MEDEL medical surgical nurse, administer antibiotics to a young boy during a Medical Readiness Training Exercise operation in Trujillo, Honduras, July 29, 2016. U.S. military personnel from JTF-Bravo have been conducting MEDRETEs since 1993 and have treated more than 326,000 medical patients. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Siuta B. Ika)</div>
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                 alt="U.S. Army Spc. Joshua Miller, Joint Task Force-Bravo Medical Element medical logistics specialist, and Sgt. Jeffry Gomez, JTF-Bravo MEDEL dental technician, fulfill prescription orders during a Medical Readiness Training Exercise operation in Trujillo, Honduras, July 29, 2016. During MEDRETEs, personnel from every section of MEDEL come together to help accomplish the mission of delivering medical care in austere conditions, promoting diplomatic relations between the U.S. and host nations in Central America, and providing humanitarian and civic assistance via a long-term proactive program. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Siuta B. Ika)"
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            <div class="image-caption">U.S. Army Spc. Joshua Miller, Joint Task Force-Bravo Medical Element medical logistics specialist, and Sgt. Jeffry Gomez, JTF-Bravo MEDEL dental technician, fulfill prescription orders during a Medical Readiness Training Exercise operation in Trujillo, Honduras, July 29, 2016. During MEDRETEs, personnel from every section of MEDEL come together to help accomplish the mission of delivering medical care in austere conditions, promoting diplomatic relations between the U.S. and host nations in Central America, and providing humanitarian and civic assistance via a long-term proactive program. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Siuta B. Ika)</div>
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                 alt="U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Mercedes Macintosh, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force hospital corpsman, smiles at a baby during a Medical Readiness Training Exercise operation consultation in Trujillo, Honduras, July 29, 2016. While MEDRETEs greatly help the local populations where they are conducted, the service members executing the operations also receive valuable medical training and experience that comes from operating in remote and/or austere environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Siuta B. Ika)"
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            <div class="image-caption">U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Mercedes Macintosh, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force hospital corpsman, smiles at a baby during a Medical Readiness Training Exercise operation consultation in Trujillo, Honduras, July 29, 2016. While MEDRETEs greatly help the local populations where they are conducted, the service members executing the operations also receive valuable medical training and experience that comes from operating in remote and/or austere environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Siuta B. Ika)</div>
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                 alt="An adolescent girl has a wisdom tooth pulled by U.S. Army Maj. (Dr.) David Bennett, Joint Task Force-Bravo Medical Element dentist, during a Medical Readiness Training Exercise operation in Trujillo, Honduras, July 29, 2016. During this two-day MEDRETE, the dental section treated more than 200 patients. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Siuta B. Ika)"
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            <div class="image-caption">An adolescent girl has a wisdom tooth pulled by U.S. Army Maj. (Dr.) David Bennett, Joint Task Force-Bravo Medical Element dentist, during a Medical Readiness Training Exercise operation in Trujillo, Honduras, July 29, 2016. During this two-day MEDRETE, the dental section treated more than 200 patients. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Siuta B. Ika)</div>
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                 alt="Dr. Wilmer Amador, Joint Task Force-Bravo Honduran Medical Liaison (right), stands next to U.S. Army Col. Brian Hughes, Joint Task Force-Bravo commander, as he explains the different services and provides a tour of the site for key leaders from both JTF-Bravo and Honduras, during a Medical Readiness Training Exercise in the village of La Boveda, Trujillo, July 29, 2016. As the LNO, Amador coordinates mostly with non-profit organizations such as the Ministry of Health, and also coordinates with the Honduran military, school teachers and school principals. (U.S. Army photo by Maria Pinel)"
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            <div class="image-caption">Dr. Wilmer Amador, Joint Task Force-Bravo Honduran Medical Liaison (right), stands next to U.S. Army Col. Brian Hughes, Joint Task Force-Bravo commander, as he explains the different services and provides a tour of the site for key leaders from both JTF-Bravo and Honduras, during a Medical Readiness Training Exercise in the village of La Boveda, Trujillo, July 29, 2016. As the LNO, Amador coordinates mostly with non-profit organizations such as the Ministry of Health, and also coordinates with the Honduran military, school teachers and school principals. (U.S. Army photo by Maria Pinel)</div>
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                 alt="U.S. Army Lt. Col. (Dr.) Robert Walkup, Joint Task Force-Bravo Medical Element healthcare provider, reviews medication administration forms during a Medical Readiness Training Exercise operation in Trujillo, Honduras, July 29, 2016. During MEDRETEs, personnel from every section of MEDEL come together to help accomplish the mission of delivering medical care in austere conditions, promoting diplomatic relations between the U.S. and host nations in Central America, and providing humanitarian and civic assistance via a long-term proactive program. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Siuta B. Ika)"
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            <div class="image-caption">U.S. Army Lt. Col. (Dr.) Robert Walkup, Joint Task Force-Bravo Medical Element healthcare provider, reviews medication administration forms during a Medical Readiness Training Exercise operation in Trujillo, Honduras, July 29, 2016. During MEDRETEs, personnel from every section of MEDEL come together to help accomplish the mission of delivering medical care in austere conditions, promoting diplomatic relations between the U.S. and host nations in Central America, and providing humanitarian and civic assistance via a long-term proactive program. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Siuta B. Ika)</div>
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                 alt="U.S. Army Capt. Angela Hunter, Joint Task Force-Bravo Medical Element physician assistant, inspects the eyes of an elderly woman during a Medical Readiness Training Exercise operation in Trujillo, Honduras, July 29, 2016. During the MEDRETE, MEDEL treated more than 1,000 host nation personnel over two days. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Siuta B. Ika)"
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            <div class="image-caption">U.S. Army Capt. Angela Hunter, Joint Task Force-Bravo Medical Element physician assistant, inspects the eyes of an elderly woman during a Medical Readiness Training Exercise operation in Trujillo, Honduras, July 29, 2016. During the MEDRETE, MEDEL treated more than 1,000 host nation personnel over two days. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Siuta B. Ika)</div>
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                 alt="U.S. Army Spc. Lindsay Thompson, Joint Task Force-Bravo Medical Element medic, fills out paperwork during a Medical Readiness Training Exercise operation consultation in Trujillo, Honduras, July 29, 2016. U.S. military personnel from JTF-Bravo have been conducting MEDRETEs since 1993 and have treated more than 326,000 medical patients. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Siuta B. Ika)"
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            <div class="image-caption">U.S. Army Spc. Lindsay Thompson, Joint Task Force-Bravo Medical Element medic, fills out paperwork during a Medical Readiness Training Exercise operation consultation in Trujillo, Honduras, July 29, 2016. U.S. military personnel from JTF-Bravo have been conducting MEDRETEs since 1993 and have treated more than 326,000 medical patients. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Siuta B. Ika)</div>
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                 alt="Locals wait outside the compound where the Joint Task Force-Bravo Medical Element hosted a Medical Readiness Training Exercise operation in Trujillo, Honduras, July 29, 2016. The villages where the MEDRETEs take place provide space at the schools, churches or community centers to see patients, and community leaders help with event promotion. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Siuta B. Ika)"
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            <div class="image-caption">Locals wait outside the compound where the Joint Task Force-Bravo Medical Element hosted a Medical Readiness Training Exercise operation in Trujillo, Honduras, July 29, 2016. The villages where the MEDRETEs take place provide space at the schools, churches or community centers to see patients, and community leaders help with event promotion. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Siuta B. Ika)</div>
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                 alt="U.S. Navy Lt. Pierre Cagniart, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force flight surgeon, speaks with a young woman during a Medical Readiness Training Exercise operation in Trujillo, Honduras, July 29, 2016. The mission objectives of MEDRETEs include providing U.S. military personnel training in delivery of medical care in austere conditions, promoting diplomatic relations between the U.S. and host nations in Central America, and providing humanitarian and civic assistance via a long-term proactive program.  (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Siuta B. Ika)"
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            <div class="image-caption">U.S. Navy Lt. Pierre Cagniart, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force flight surgeon, speaks with a young woman during a Medical Readiness Training Exercise operation in Trujillo, Honduras, July 29, 2016. The mission objectives of MEDRETEs include providing U.S. military personnel training in delivery of medical care in austere conditions, promoting diplomatic relations between the U.S. and host nations in Central America, and providing humanitarian and civic assistance via a long-term proactive program.  (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Siuta B. Ika)</div>
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                 alt="U.S. Army Pvt. Gabriel Hassoun, Joint Task Force-Bravo Army Forces, walks with an elderly woman during a Medical Readiness Training Exercise operation in Trujillo, Honduras, July 29, 2016. While MEDRETEs greatly help the local populations where they are conducted, the service members executing the operations also receive valuable medical training and experience that comes from operating in remote and/or austere environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Siuta B. Ika)"
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            <div class="image-caption">U.S. Army Pvt. Gabriel Hassoun, Joint Task Force-Bravo Army Forces, walks with an elderly woman during a Medical Readiness Training Exercise operation in Trujillo, Honduras, July 29, 2016. While MEDRETEs greatly help the local populations where they are conducted, the service members executing the operations also receive valuable medical training and experience that comes from operating in remote and/or austere environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Siuta B. Ika)</div>
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                 alt="U.S. Army Capt. Summer Sampson, Medical Administrations Officer, says goodbye to U.S. Army Col. Brian Hughes, Commander of Joint Task Force-Bravo, after his tour of the school site where JTF-Bravo Medical Element personnel participated in a Medical Readiness Training Exercise in the village of La Boveda, Trujillo, July 29, 2016. Capt. Sampson was the officer in charge of this two-day MEDRETE, which began its planning process 90 days prior, and ultimately provided medical attention for a total of 1,072 patients of all ages. (U.S. Army photo by Maria Pinel)"
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            <div class="image-caption">U.S. Army Capt. Summer Sampson, Medical Administrations Officer, says goodbye to U.S. Army Col. Brian Hughes, Commander of Joint Task Force-Bravo, after his tour of the school site where JTF-Bravo Medical Element personnel participated in a Medical Readiness Training Exercise in the village of La Boveda, Trujillo, July 29, 2016. Capt. Sampson was the officer in charge of this two-day MEDRETE, which began its planning process 90 days prior, and ultimately provided medical attention for a total of 1,072 patients of all ages. (U.S. Army photo by Maria Pinel)</div>
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                 alt="Service members from the Joint Task Force-Bravo Medical Element treated more than 1,000 patients during a Medical Readiness Training Exercise operation in Trujillo, Honduras, July 28-29, 2016. MEDEL conducts MEDRETEs throughout Central America to provide a variety of medical services to the local populations, who otherwise would be unable to receive medical care from licensed providers. (U.S. Air Force photos by Staff Sgt. Siuta B. Ika)"
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            <div class="image-caption">Service members from the Joint Task Force-Bravo Medical Element treated more than 1,000 patients during a Medical Readiness Training Exercise operation in Trujillo, Honduras, July 28-29, 2016. MEDEL conducts MEDRETEs throughout Central America to provide a variety of medical services to the local populations, who otherwise would be unable to receive medical care from licensed providers. (U.S. Air Force photos by Staff Sgt. Siuta B. Ika)</div>
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    <div><b>By 1st Lt. Jenniffer Rodriguez</b> <span class="date">/ Published Aug. 8, 2016</span></div>
    <span class="dateline-text">COLÓN, Honduras, </span>
    Soldiers under the command of Joint Task Force Bravo (JTF-B), Medical Element (MEDEL), executed a medical readiness training exercise for the first time in the village of La Boveda, Trujillo July 28-29, 2016, serving a total of 1,072 patients of all ages during the two-day event that involved key leaders from both JTF-Bravo and Honduras.<br />
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JTF-Bravo MEDEL personnel perform MEDRETEs throughout Central America on a monthly basis, with each event requiring weeks, and even months of planning.<br />
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“The initial planning of this mission began 90 days prior to the operation,” said U.S. Army Capt. Summer Sampson, Medical Administrations Officer and the officer in charge of this MEDRETE, who hails from San Diego, California. “I was also very involved with the liaison medical officer (LNO) and civil affairs officer, both of whom played a big role in coordinating with the host nation to ensure mission accomplishment.”<br />
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The LNO assigned to this mission was Dr. Wilmer Amador, who has been involved with the JTF-Bravo MEDEL since 1992.<br />
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“I have been coordinating MEDRETEs since I started working here, and I can tell you that we have made a difference,” said Amador. “We have had comments made by people in several villages as to how positive it has been for them. We have also noticed behavioral changes in some of the people as far as their health. In general they have become more conscious about the preventive aspect of taking care of their health.”<br />
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As the LNO, Amador coordinates mostly with non-profit organizations such as the Ministry of Health. He also coordinates with the Honduran military, school teachers and school principals.<br />
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“It is absolutely imperative that we interact with them in order to conduct these MEDRETEs,” said Amador.<br />
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U.S. Army Maj. Rosemary Reed, JTF-Bravo civil affairs officer, from Tacoma, Washington, who was also involved in the MEDRETE coordination and execution stressed the importance of involving the partner nation in the planning process and how that contributes to long-term benefits.<br />
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“I think that is key when it comes to medical engagements and civil affairs,” said Reed. “We include the host nation, in the planning and in the execution of these missions. We include local leaders such as the mayor of the local town, key government officials and non-profit organizations that provide service to the community. We talk about the analysis of the population, behaviors and changes. Preventive medicine has a huge job. Something as simple as handing out pamphlets to the local population about basic healthcare education is actually very effective in the long run.”<br />
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One of JTF-Bravo’s goals during the MEDRETE is to ensure MEDEL personnel are prepared to respond in support of contingency operations and to develop an understanding of current environmental risks and medical capabilities of the local communities. But that is only part of the reason these missions take place.<br />
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U.S. Army Lt. Col. Robert Walkup M.D., JTF-Bravo MEDEL healthcare provider from Lubbock, Texas, commented, “MEDRETEs are good for training for the service members, but they’re also an opportunity to help improve the health of individuals in host nations. Socially, especially in countries like Honduras, these events are so important, these are the types of events that people talk about for months or even years afterwards.”<br />
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Walkup also discussed the differences and similarities between civil affairs and medical aid missions.<br />
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“Coming from a civil affairs unit back home in the states, I deal with a lot of infrastructures, and healthcare happens to be part of that,” stated Walkup. “We build infrastructures of at-risk nations that have been through war, famine, natural disasters and economic collapse where the infrastructure is weakened and even failing to maintain basic things like utilities and environmental security. A pure civil affairs mission, on the medical aspect side, would be to work with host nation counterparts to assess how they are doing with respect to their health and infrastructure, and a lot of that involves preventive medicine.”<br />
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There have been more than 300 MEDRETEs conducted and JTF-Bravo MEDEL personnel have treated more than 326,000 medical patients and 69,670 dental patients since Oct. 1993. An average operation allows more than 1,000 people living in remote, austere environments to receive medical, dental and preventive medical care.<br />
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