U.S. Army Africa (USARAF) conducted a familiarization visit for two Rwandan military medical soldiers at the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Landstuhl, Germany, November 1-4, 2010.

Lieutenant Jacques Twagirayezu and Lieutenant Colonel Marc Sebaganji of the Rwanda Defense Forces toured the U.S. Army Medical Department's premiere European facility to observe American military medicine at work and to bring their insights home for consideration and adaptation for the benefit of their land forces.

"We basically visited with the staff of the Trauma Department, took tours of the ICU (Intensive Care Unit) and operating rooms -- the noncritical care wing -- as well as the physical therapy department," said Major Kristin E. Agresta, responsible for Force Health Protection in USARAF's Command Surgeon Section.

"We were focused on the Wounded Warrior Program, meaning the movement of patients from point of injury through the military medical system back to the United States. The emphasis for these guys was on understanding our Level 1-3 care: buddy aid/medic aid at point of injury; battalion aid station and the field hospitals," she said.

"I know they were very impressed with the organization of the system and the obvious teamwork that was displayed as they interacted and observed the staff. Lieutenant Colonel Sebaganji mentioned this several times," Agresta said.

"Lieutenant Twagirayezu, who is a physical therapist, enjoyed the opportunity to see the physical therapy wing. He was impressed with the equipment and was able to compare methods of treatment for injuries with the Chief of the Physical Therapy/Occupational Therapy Department," she said.