USAFE Medics in Morocco: Healing Hands Change Lives

  • Published
  • By Capt. Chrystal Smith
  • 435th Air Base Wing
Thirty-three medical members, to include several from U.S. Air Forces in Europe, recently descended upon the Sahara Desert destined to change the lives of citizens near Guelmim, Morocco, for Exercise African Lion ‘06, held May 22 to 31. 

Exercise African Lion is a regularly-scheduled, bi-lateral exercise for U.S. and Moroccan ground forces to promote improved interoperability and mutual understanding of each nation’s tactics, techniques and procedures. 

The experience was life-altering for many of the participants, and their specialties enabled them to touch the lives of more than 9,400 citizens during the seven-day exercise. 

“My life is forever changed,” said Capt. Alvin Barber, 435th Medical Squadron physician assistant. “I left a piece of my heart in Morocco. The people were the most grateful I have ever seen. You could tell that each person would give you the shirt from their back in return for the help they received.” 

Captain Barber, who works at Ramstein’s Family Practice Clinic, arrived in Morocco a few days ahead of the main body as a member of the advance team to assist the lead planner on final touches for the humanitarian mission. Throughout the mission he provided pediatric care to the impoverished children in the region. 

The team was a mix of Reservists and active-duty members from the Air Force, Navy and Moroccan military, specializing in obstetrics and gynecology, optometry, dentistry, family practice, internal medicine, dermatology and pediatrics. 

Many on the mission were seasoned for the task ahead, but first-timer Dr. (Capt.) Paul Hilfer, 435th Dental Squadron dentist, was not sure what to expect. 

“I expected that I would be pulling teeth and [performing] limited dentistry,” he said. “What I didn’t anticipate was how much I would be impacted by the humble and grateful attitudes of everyone. [I] can’t describe the satisfaction of treating such a patient population – every little aspect of care given made a difference in their lives, and you could see it in their smiles.” 

Half the team visited a different village every day, while the other half treated people at the Guelmim Military Hospital. 

The average patient load, about 1,300 patients a day, was split between the different village sites and the Hospital. 

“You could see that many of the people we saw were apprehensive at first,” said Captain Barber. “They quickly gave us the trust we needed to give them the best care we could in the given environment.” 

When all the work was done, the celebrations began. A light reception of refreshments, music and dancing was the exchange for services rendered. However, mainly all the team members agreed that the smiles of approval and appreciation on the villagers’ faces was fitting for the job they had done. 

Other USAFE medics included Doctors (Lt. Col.) Marc Hester, gynecologist, (Maj.) Paul Bostram, dermatologist, and (Capt.) Justin Cummings, internal medicine, of Landstuhl Regional Medical Center; Dr. (Maj) Scott McKim, optometrist, and Staff Sgt. Melissa Solis, dental technician of the 435th Medical Group.