U.S. service members completed the largest annual humanitarian medical exercise in Africa July 26, 2008 following two-weeks of intense training and clinical visits in villages throughout Mali.

More than 90 service members deployed for the multinational medical training exercise, MEDFLAG 08, to enhance medical capabilities and readiness for U.S. and African forces.

As part of the exercise, medical teams visited four villages, trained more than 160 doctors, medics and nurses, saw more than 4,000 patients, extracted approximately 600 teeth, treated 4,100 goats and sheep, and conducted a mass casualty exercise in Mali.

"We exceeded all expectations we had for this exercise and humanitarian mission," said Lieutenant Colonel Troy McGilvra, MEDFLAG 08 commander. "I couldn't have asked for a better team to have worked with."

Throughout the exercise, the medical team focused their efforts in three phases. The first phase consisted of medical training with Mali medics in a variety of subject areas including emergency medicine, triage, stabilization, evacuation and disaster preparedness training.

During the second phase, Mali medics practiced disaster response services in a mass casualty scenario. Using medical make-up and latex injury reproductions, realistic casualties were simulated to test the Malian's medical response personnel.

In the third phase, Malian and U.S. medics provided a wide range of on-site medical services to local communities including basic medical evaluation and treatment, preventive medicine treatment, dental screenings and treatment, optometry screenings, eyewear distribution and public health training. Additionally, Army veterinarians vaccinated and dewormed livestock in the surrounding villages.

McGilvra said he'd never forget this exercise, particularly the moment when a woman in line went into labor and delivered a baby girl. In a gesture of gratitude, she asked McGilvra to name the baby.

"I named the baby Shelly, after my wife," McGilvra said. "It was overwhelming to have such a great honor given to me."

The American medics consisted of an array of medical specialties from bases in Europe and the United States including surgeons, nurses, physicians, dentists, optometrists and public health staff.