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U.S. Soldiers provide veterinarian assistance

A young Djiboutian boy herds goats toward U.S. Soldiers with the 418th Civil Affairs Battalion Function Specialty Unit (FxSP) in a rural area outside of Dikhil, Djibouti, April 3, 2017. As part of their veterinarian assistance mission, FxSP members administered anti-parasitic medication to ward off the parasites that steal the animal’s nutrients and energy, increasing their survivability during the dry summer months. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Christian Jadot/Released)

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Photo by: U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Christian Jadot 

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U.S. Soldiers provide veterinarian assistance

A Djiboutian shepherd waits in the rain for U.S. Soldiers with the 418th Civil Affairs Battalion Function Specialty Unit (FxSP) to treat her livestock in a rural area outside of Ali Sabieh, Djibouti, March 28, 2017. Livestock, such as goats and sheep are essential for the survival of nomadic people in the summer desert climate of east Africa. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Christian Jadot/Released)

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Photo by: U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Christian Jadot 

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U.S. Soldiers provide veterinarian assistance

U.S. Army Major Gary Brown, 418th Civil Affairs Battalion (FxSP) senior veterinarian, treats a camel’s infected eye in a rural area outside of Ali Sabieh, Djibouti, March 28, 2017. FxSP members assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa administered anti-parasitic medication and provided basic treatment of upper repertory infections as part of their veterinarian assistance mission. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Christian Jadot/Released)

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Photo by: U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Christian Jadot 

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U.S. Soldiers provide veterinarian assistance

U.S. Army Major Gary Brown, 418th Civil Affairs Battalion (FxSP) senior veterinarian administers anti-parasitic medication during a veterinarian assistance mission outside of Dikhil, Djibouti, March 28, 2017. The veterinarian assistance mission is intended to enhance the capabilities of local animal health workers, ensure animal herd well-being, and strengthen agricultural and economic stability, while fostering positive relationships between the U.S. and partner nations. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Christian Jadot/Released)

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Photo by: U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Christian Jadot 

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U.S. Soldiers provide veterinarian assistance

A Djiboutian shepherd subdues his camel while U.S. Army 418th Civil Affairs Battalion Function Specialty Unit (FxSP) personnel treat his livestock during a veterinarian assistance mission outside of Ali Sabieh, Djibouti, March 28, 2017. The veterinarian assistance mission is intended to enhance the capabilities of local animal health workers, ensure animal herd well-being, and strengthen agricultural and economic stability, while fostering positive relationships between the U.S. and partner nations. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Christian Jadot/Released)

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Photo by: U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Christian Jadot 

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U.S. Soldiers provide veterinarian assistance

U.S. Army Capt. Sage Umphreys, 418th Civil Affairs Battalion Function Specialty Unit (FxSP) veterinarian, and U.S. Army Sgt. Sarah DeArcy, 411th Civil Affairs Battalion medic, administer anti-parasitic medication to goats outside of Ali Sabieh, Djibouti, March 28, 2017. FxSP teams assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa routinely travel to the rural regions of Djibouti to treat local livestock herds. On these missions the teams typically treat between 800 and 1,500 animals. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Christian Jadot/Released)

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Photo by: U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Christian Jadot 

Djibouti - U.S. Army personnel assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa’s (CJTF-HOA) Military Information Support Operations (MISO), 411th Civil Affairs Battalion and 418th Civil Affairs Battalion Function Specialty Unit (FxSP) treated local livestock during a veterinarian assistance mission in rural areas of southern Djibouti, March 28 and April 4.

The veterinarian assistance mission is intended to enhance the capabilities of local animal health workers, ensure animal herd well-being, and strengthen agricultural and economic stability, while fostering positive relationships between the U.S. and partner nations.

CJTF-HOA FxSP teams routinely travel to the rural regions of Djibouti to treat local livestock. Animal herds belonging to nomadic Afari and Somali clans are treated with anti-parasitic medication to ward off worms and ticks.

“We are coming out to treat the animals and that helps the local people,” said U.S. Army Major Gary Brown, FxSP senior veterinarian. “Right now during the wet season, the goats and other livestock are in pretty good shape. We are trying to decrease the parasites that steal their nutrients and energy. Reducing this burden will help the animals survive during the dry summer months. We are also giving basic treatment of upper respiratory infections or sinus infections.”

Livestock such as goats and sheep are essential for these nomadic people’s survival in the summer desert climate, and with a drought forecasted to impact the region, local animal herds will face an increased burden.

“Without an adequate supply of water, the goats will lose a lot of their body composition,” said Brown. “They will be smaller, weaker, dehydrated and more prone to infections.  Being healthier and more resistant will keep the goats body condition better in this environment, allowing more meat and milk production.”

On these missions the FxSP team will typically treat between 800 and 1,500 animals, while simultaneously educating herd owners in western animal care techniques.

“The local people are very appreciative,” said Brown. “They are thankful for our assistance, and the veterinary education we provide.”

The education goes both ways. This was Brown’s first time treating animals in this type of desert environment.

“I am amazed by the Djiboutian people and how they maintain their animals in these harsh conditions,” Brown said. “I think the Army Veterinary Corps, myself and my team learn as much from them as they learn from us. It has been a great experience to come here and work with the Djiboutian people.”