A Senegalese Armed Forces nurse assisting a thyroid surgery during African Lion 26

A Senegalese Armed Forces nurse assists Lt. Col. Angela Welch, a physician assistant assigned to the Vermont National Guard, during thyroid surgery in Ziguinchor, Senegal, May 4, 2026. This MEDREX is planned and executed by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), and prepares military medical professionals to provide care outside of traditional clinical settings. By working alongside African partners, U.S. and Senegalese medical teams refine their ability to deliver rapid, adaptable, and resource-efficient medical care, directly increasing medical readiness for large-scale combat operations. African Lion 2026 (AL26) is U.S. Africa Command’s largest annual joint exercise, designed to strengthen collective security capabilities of the U.S., African nations, and global allies. Co-led by SETAF-AF from April 20 to May 8, 2026, and hosted in Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia, AL26 involves over 5,600 personnel from more than 40 nations, using innovation to drive partner-led regional security.