Category: Defence

Source: United States SOUTHERN COMMAND

DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz.  –  

A Global Health Engagement mission led by U.S. Air Forces Southern, is set to launch its third iteration encompassing four partner nations Feb. 24 – April 11, 2025.

The Lesser Antilles Medical Assistance Team (LAMAT) 2025, led by AFSOUTH Surgeon General, will embed Air Force Reserve Command medical personnel within host nation hospitals and clinics across the Lesser Antilles region and Guyana. These Global Health Engagements enhance military readiness, strengthen partner nation healthcare systems, and foster resilience through expertise sharing and collaboration with local providers.

“LAMAT is about building lasting partnerships through medical collaboration,” said Lt. Col. Aaron Goodrich, AFSOUTH deputy command surgeon and lead planner for LAMAT. “By working side-by-side with our host nation counterparts, we aim to enhance interoperability and strengthen our collective ability to respond to medical challenges, whether they stem from natural disasters, public health emergencies or everyday patient care.”

The mission involves approximately 240 military personnel, including 180 medical professionals partnering with local providers to deliver specialized care and build a long-term healthcare capacity.

Throughout the exercise, U.S. and partner nation medical professionals will focus on a range of specialties tailored to the specific needs of each location identified by the respective Ministries of Health. In Saint Lucia, teams will focus on vascular, oral surgeries, and general surgery and anesthesia including mass casualty response knowledge exchanges. While in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the focus will shift to primary care, vascular, ENT, neurology and anesthesia.

The mission will then shift to Saint Kitts and Nevis, where teams will collaborate with local hospitals on emergency medicine, diabetes education and audiology procedures. Finally, in Guyana, medical personnel will collaborate on dental, emergency medicine and ophthalmology.

“This is a newer way of doing global health engagement,” said Col. Brian Gavitt, AFSOUTH command surgeon. “Instead of setting up a tent in competition with healthcare systems, each one of these missions in LAMAT were requested by the country. The Ministry of Health reached out and said, ‘Can you come and do something?’ We are tailoring what capabilities we bring to their needs.

“This is operationally relevant readiness,” Gavitt added. “We are leveraging our readiness requirements to build resilience in an area that struggles with natural disasters. We’re not just filling a few cavities—we’re fixing medical equipment, enhancing capabilities and improving healthcare infrastructure in meaningful ways.”

Government and healthcare leaders in the participating nations have welcomed the initiative, recognizing its long-term impact on healthcare capacity and crisis response.

“The Ministry of Health (MOH), St Kitts & Nevis thank the AFSOUTH for the successful execution of the LAMAT Mission in 2024,” said Dr. Hazel Laws, St Kitts & Nevis Ministry of Health chief medical officer. “The visiting team of doctors, dentists, nurses and allied health professionals conducted approximately 2,261 procedures and over 1,300 patients benefited from the health services offered in collaboration with local health personnel. Almost 200 persons benefited from hearing aids allowing them to better appreciate their environment. Overall, the National Health System was strengthened through knowledge transfer and acquisition of medical supplies and equipment.”

“On behalf of the MOH and Government of St. Kitts & Nevis, I extend profound thanks to the AFSOUTH for this collaborative effort. We look forward to the implementation of the LAMAT 2025 mission which we anticipate will impact more persons.”

LAMAT is part of AFSOUTH’s broader commitment to regional security cooperation and humanitarian assistance, reinforcing the ability of partner nations to respond to public health emergencies and natural disasters.

The kickoff ceremony in Saint Lucia will mark the official start of the mission, with medical operations set to begin immediately after.

“This exercise is more than just medial readiness—it’s about building lasting partnerships and strengthening healthcare systems across the region,” said Gavitt. “By embedding our teams within host nation facilities, we are able to exchange knowledge, improve interoperability, and enhance readiness on both sides. Medical readiness isn’t just about preparing for conflict; it’s about ensuring we can respond effectively to humanitarian crises, pandemics and natural disasters.”

The dual-purpose mission not only helps local healthcare systems but also prepares U.S. military personnel for real-world deployment scenarios. LAMAT 25 offers unique hands-on training opportunities for reservists and active-duty service members, particularly in treating tropical diseases and operating in austere conditions.

“Our reserve components are coming down to accomplish skills that they don’t get in their regular duties,” Gavitt added. “This mission ensures they are ready to deploy to any location if needed in the future.”

By partnering with host-nation physicians, they can enhance medical capabilities while reducing the burden on local healthcare systems.

“If we bring a provider to work alongside yours, side-by-side for two weeks just doing that piece develops a skill set that endures,” Gavitt said. “Once you’re a practicing physician, you don’t get a whole lot of time to learn new skills, so what we can do is pair folks up, work together, and develop new expertise that will benefit these communities long after we leave.”

Beyond direct patient care, biomedical equipment repair technicians (BMET) are also deployed as part of LAMAT ‘25 to repair critical hospital equipment, restoring functionality to facilities that may struggle with outdated or broken machinery.

One key success from a past mission was in Guyana, where U.S. personnel trained local youth to become medical equipment repair technicians.

“That kind of impact endures far beyond the mission itself. When we went on the site survey, we found they had developed their skills, and now they have four or five guys who are repair technicians,” Goodrich said. “That’s the kind of lasting impact we aim for.”

LAMAT ‘25 also reinforces U.S. commitment to partner nations, particularly in regions vulnerable to natural disasters and health crises.

For the first time, medical readiness will be tracked in real-time using the Medical Currency Application for Readiness Tracking (MCART). The system allows AFRC medical personnel to log procedures performed, patient care data, and skills acquired, ensuring their experiences contribute to future deployment qualifications.

A live dashboard will provide ongoing updates, detailing the number of patients treated, medical equipment repaired, and training hours completed—an instrumental tool in assessing the mission’s impact and guiding future engagements.

“You’ll be able to look in real-time,” Goodrich said. “There’s a value calculated from these things, the number of hours worked, and readiness requirements by type and provider. This information will be essential for tracking the effectiveness of LAMAT 25.”

All involved agree LAMAT ‘25 is a win-win scenario, benefiting both U.S. military personnel and partner nations. The mission enhances medical readiness and strengthens partnerships while improving healthcare infrastructure in underserved areas.

For more information about this global health engagement, visit the LAMAT DVIDS Page, https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/LAMAT25.

Source: United States SOUTHERN COMMAND

AHUACHAPAN, El Salvador  –  

U.S. military personnel joined forces with Salvadoran authorities in two events aimed at tackling animal health and overpopulation in El Salvador. The initiatives saw participation from the U.S. Embassy in El Salvador and Joint Task Force-Bravo’s Army Force Battalion veterinarian team.

On Feb. 19, a joint effort between the U.S. military and El Salvador’s Ministry of Agriculture saw the administration and distribution of more than 54,000 doses of ivermectin to local livestock. The initiative aims to curb the spread of vector-borne illnesses that threaten animal and human populations.

“El Salvador has been proactive in confronting the issues presented by vector-borne illnesses,” said Lt. Col. Steven Pelham, Veterinary Preventive Medicine Officer Army Force Battalion. “The opportunity to work with the Ministry of Agriculture has been a true privilege. I am honored to have been able to train together and learn from each other, united by one cause.”

Following the ivermectin distribution, Joint Task Force-Bravo hosted a veterinary readiness training exercise, or VETRETE, in Ahuachapan, El Salvador. The collaborative effort which included 33 individuals from City Hall, the Instituto de Bienestar Animal, Chivo Pets and Universidad Salvadoreña Alberto Masferrer provided free spaying and neutering services to approximately 300 animals.

“This is truly a knowledge exchange where we learn from one another and become better together,” Pelham said. “It’s been a great collaboration where we have been able to pool our resources and pull off a remarkable event where we all benefit and are better for it.”

The VETRETE provided U.S. military personnel with valuable experience in austere environments while simultaneously addressing the significant issue of animal overpopulation in El Salvador.

“There is an overpopulation of animals across El Salvador, and this is a great start in addressing the issue head-on,” said Pamela Figueroa, an IBA representative who oversaw event coordination. “Most people can’t afford to pay for these basic procedures, which are essential to ensuring a healthy pet population.”

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Carl Schreier, commander of Army Forces Battalion, concluded, “This has been a wonderful experience for JTF-Bravo and our personnel, who have not only become better at their jobs but have been able to fill a gap in a meaningful way. I look forward to the next one and the progress we make as a team.”

Source: United States SOUTHERN COMMAND

DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FROCE BASE, Ariz.  –  

Air Forces Southern Foreign Liaison Officers (FLO) toured a WC-135 Constant Phoenix aircraft Feb. 13, 2025, at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base to strengthen military partnerships and enhance regional security cooperation.

The officers, who represent air forces from six South American nations, were given the opportunity to get a firsthand look and talk to aircrew about the aircraft’s capabilities and its role in nuclear-treaty monitoring, reinforcing transparency and collaboration in countering nuclear threats.

“The opportunity to engage with our partners and share the capabilities of the WC-135 reinforces our commitment to regional security and transparency,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Jacob English, Chief, Theater Security Cooperation Plans and Programs. “I think it is very important for FLOs to have the opportunity to experience the aircraft firsthand and speak with the operators.

The FLOs who represent Colombia, Peru, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, and Ecuador gained insight into the aircraft’s mission and capabilities, fostering stronger ties to support future collaborations in detecting and deterring nuclear threats in the region.

“Our Air Force has a nuclear mission, and for our partners, understanding the mission of this aircraft and its collection requirements is crucial” added English. “We need baseline data—if something were to happen in the region and we don’t have that baseline, there’s nothing to compare it to.”

The WC-135, which traveled from the 45th Reconnaissance Squadron at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, plays a critical role in nuclear treaty monitoring by collecting airborne effluents and particulates.

“The WC-135 mission was very interesting,” said Brazilian air force Col. Leonardo Macedo, Foreign Liaison Officer and fighter pilot. I didn’t know much about it before, but it plays a crucial role—especially in demystifying or preventing misunderstandings that have happened in the past. I think it’s an important mission. I don’t know of many other squadrons around the world that perform this type of mission, one that actively contributes to a safer environment for everyone.”

“At the beginning of our briefing, the presenters used the word ‘transparency,’ and I believe that is one of the most important aspects of building strong relationships” said Macedo. “As nations, we share the same objectives, so when we have the opportunity to be invited to see more assets in the inventory and learn about the U.S. Air Force mission, it strengthens our relationship. We can take this information back to our country, better understand U.S. operations, and see how these efforts contribute to building stronger partnerships.”

FLOs serve as key representatives of their home nations’ air forces within Air Forces Southern, the air component of U.S. Southern Command. They facilitate communication, coordination, and cooperation between the U.S. and partner nations, strengthening military relationships and enhancing regional security efforts.

“I think it was a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the U.S. Air Force,” said Macedo. “Coming from the crew perspective, it’s easy for us to connect, understand, and see future interactions.”

“At the end of the day, we now have a better understanding of the U.S. Air Force mission” added Macedo. “It’s not so different from ours, despite the specialization in aviation–we share the same goals and objectives, and this was a great opportunity.”

The Air Force Technical Applications Center routinely conducts air sampling missions worldwide and is actively working with the U.S. State Department and combatant commands to expand its reach in Central and South America. Strengthening these partnerships ensures a shared understanding of capabilities and enhances cooperation in monitoring nuclear activity.

During their visit, the FLOs also toured a HC-130J Combat King II and EC-130H Compass Call, further broadening their awareness of U.S. Air Force operations and capabilities.

“Beyond understanding the mission sets of these aircraft, this was also an opportunity to strengthen relationships,” said English. “Meeting the operators and technicians who perform this mission, interacting with AFSOUTH personnel, and engaging with one another reinforces our partnership. We are all in this together, facing common threats, and teamwork is essential.”

This hands-on immersion provided valuable background and broadened perspectives on USAF capabilities, reinforcing the U.S. military’s ongoing commitment to fostering international cooperation and ensuring security and stability in the SOUTHCOM region.