NEWS | June 17, 2019

Utah Air National Guard participates in African Lion 2019

By Staff Sgt. Danny Whitlock 151st Medical Group

Approximately 80 members of the Utah National Guard participated in the humanitarian civic assistance portion of exercise African Lion 2019, March 25-April 3, 2019 in Tata, Morocco.

African Lion is a Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff-sponsored, U.S. African Command-scheduled, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa-led, joint and combined. African Lion offers an opportunity for participation in a multinational exercise to enhance professional relationships and allow support for interoperability of forces.

The U.S. Armed Forces participants in this portion of exercise brought medical capabilities such as surgery, dentistry, optometry, gynecology, cardiology, internal medicine, pharmacy, radiology, and general public health.

The team arrived in Morocco March 24, to stage equipment and prepare for the two-week-long event. Military personnel included National Guardsmen from Utah, Colorado, California, Montana and Arizona. This multistate team ensured the best medical care was available for the local population seeking it.

Partnership events like this would not be possible without the total-force contribution of both National Guardsmen and Reservists working together alongside the Moroccan Royal Armed Forces, and continuing the strong U.S. partnership with Morocco.

“We are expecting patients seeking treatment for various medical concerns,” said Col. Matt Bird, the commander 151st Medical Group, Utah Air National Guard. “We are supporting the southern region, seeing many Moroccan families. We are expecting to see more than 6,000 patients over the next nine days in the field.”

Multinational exercises like African Lion allows the U.S. National Guard to build and enhance professional relationships while supporting interoperability of forces. In this year’s iteration of African Lion, contributing countries included Canada, France, Morocco, Senegal, Spain, Tunisia, U.K., and U.S.

“Over the last 16 years, the organization of the event and the quality of care to the patients has improved and continues to expand,” said Alva Myers, the force protection officer with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service at Marseille, France. “After medical care is administered, the Moroccan health care system will continue care as a result of having been referred by the field hospital for ongoing care for a single visit, or issues that can’t be taken care of in the field.”

African Lion is an annual training opportunity for U.S. and Moroccan Royal Armed Forces, allowing both parties to further develop tactics, techniques, and medical procedures together, and continue to advance the capabilities of all participants.

-30-

In general, all media on the site is produced by U.S. DoD or Federal Agencies, and is in the public domain, i.e., not protected by U.S. copyright; however, other restrictions might apply, such as, but not limited to, the right to enforce trademarks, and the right of privacy/right of publicity, any of which might restrict use of some of the media. Media may not be used to imply endorsement of any product or service by the DoD. Proper credit of the producing journalist(s) is requested.

Your Career Starts Here

Utah Army and Air National Guardsmen particpate in a joint Exercise involving a mobile kitchen being connected to a UH-60 Black Hawk on January 31, 2024 at Camp Williams. Exercise PERSES  challenges the tactics, techniques, and procedures of both Utah Air and Army National Guard units along with other component units, while testing innovative ideas and communication practices. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman First Class Kyle Blackham)
Utah National Guard's Exercise Perses: Innovation, Joint Force Collaboration and the Future of Airpower
By Tech. Sgt. Nicholas Perez | Feb. 6, 2024
The Utah Air and Army National Guard conducted a joint exercise at various military installations around Utah on Feb. 3, 2024. This exercise demonstrates the state's commitment to innovative military strategies and readiness...

Tips to survive, gifts, family, and mandatory fun
By Keith Garner | Dec. 19, 2023
The holidays are supposed to be a time of joy and celebration, but for some of us, they can also be a source of stress and sadness. Maybe you’re going through a tough time, such as a loss of a loved one, a divorce, a health...

ACUB
Army Compatible Use Buffer A Valued Partnership
By | Nov. 21, 2023
The cities of Saratoga Springs and Herriman joined the Utah National Guard at a small event hosted at Camp Williams on Oct. 4, 2023. The event recognized the immense work and partnership that enabled the purchase of over 10...

Master Sgt. Justin Cordero leads a Comprehensive Soldier and Family Fitness (resilience) class for Soldiers assigned to the 204th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade at Camp Williams, Utah, June 2, 2023. Cordero is a Resilience Training Assistant for the 204th. (US Army Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Rich Stowell)
Learning Optimism Is a Battle Drill Soldiers are on the for good stuff.
By | Nov. 21, 2023
Every month, they attend classes where they learn skills like optimism, self-regulation, and mental agility...

2023 Utah National Guard Counterdrug Conference EXSUM
By | Nov. 21, 2023
2023 Utah National Guard Counterdrug Conference exercise summery...

Utah Air National Guard members participate in Arbinger training
Utah Air National Guard participates in Arbinger training
By Tech. Sgt. Nicholas Perez | Nov. 3, 2023
In a classroom at the Utah Air National Guard Base, a group of Servicemembers were asked: What would be possible if you and your organization were more outward?The Servicemembers, with varying levels of rank and professional...

Utah Air National Guard members participate in Arbinger training
Utah Air National Guard participates in Arbinger training
By Tech. Sgt. Nicholas Perez | Nov. 3, 2023
In a classroom at the Utah Air National Guard Base, a group of Servicemembers were asked: What would be possible if you and your organization were more outward?The Servicemembers, with varying levels of rank and professional...

In a significant assumption of command and promotion ceremony held on 14 October 2023, Colonel G. Chris Buckner was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General and assumed command of the Utah Air National Guard, also serving as the Assistant Adjutant General for Air of the Utah National Guard.
Brigadier General G. Chris Buckner Assumes Command of the Utah Air National Guard in Prestigious Ceremony
By Master Sgt. Colton Elliott | Oct. 16, 2023
In a significant assumption of command and promotion ceremony held on 14 October 2023, Colonel G. Chris Buckner was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General and assumed command of the Utah Air National Guard, also serving as...

204th MEB Soldiers Get Battle Ready for Africom Deployment
By Sgt. 1st Class Rich Stowell | Aug. 22, 2023
 “Contact! Contact!” Soldiers yell out to each other as they begin to take simulated fire from up the hill.It was part of a week-long training event for the 204th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade at Camp Williams, Utah. They call...

Freedom Academy delegates perform a customized group chant at Camp Williams on the morning of July 20th, 2023. Since 1961 the Utah National Guard and Honorary Colonels Corps have sponsored Freedom Academy, providing a challenging and engaging environment designed to teach high school leaders from across Utah the importance of freedom and highlight the military and governmental functions that are critical to its survival.
Utah National Guard hosts Freedom Academy 2023
By Sgt. Christine Hoskins | July 20, 2023
High school students from across the state of Utah assembled at Camp Williams for a week of learning, honing leadership skills, developing friendships, finding deeper purpose, and solidifying their understanding of freedom,...