Reserve medical team arrives in Niger

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Chance Babin
  • 926th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
CAMP TONDIBIAH, Niger (AFPN) --  A team of Air Force Reserve Command medical specialists arrived here Aug. 6 and quickly set up shop at the camp’s medical clinic. They began seeing patients early Aug. 9.

The 12-person medical team deployed alongside a U.S. Marine counterterrorism team here which is outside Niamey, the African nation’s capital. Airmen from 11 different units form the AFRC team and include dentistry, optometry and general medicine specialists.

While the medical team is treating civilians in the local area, the Marines are training the Nigerian military to maintain a rapid-reaction force.

The medical team will be in the country for more than two weeks and provide health care for residents of eight nearby villages.

Before the team began treating local civilians, one doctor made sure the Nigerian soldiers were ready to train with the Marines. Capt. (Dr.) Steven Tittl, optometrist, examined 130 soldiers, fitting 63 for glasses on the eve of their first day of counterterrorism training. Dr. Tittl is from the 439th Aerospace Medicine Squadron at Westover Air Reserve Base, Mass.,

During the doctor’s eye exams, he encountered cataracts, dry eyes, corneal erosions, conjunctivitis, visual corrections and mostly far-sighted individuals. The Nigerian troops will benefit greatly from his services, especially when they begin training with firearms in the next few weeks.

“The eye glasses that we distributed should improve their target skill and accuracy,” Dr. Tittl said. “For my first day of work, it was very fulfilling to be able to improve the lives of these soldiers.”

All medical team members who are here volunteered for the humanitarian mission, said Maj. Melissa Triche, an AFRC medical planner.

“They’re taking time away from their families and civilian jobs to provide top-notch medical care to the local population,” she said. “Everyone is looking forward to this unique opportunity to touch as many lives as possible in the short period of time they’re here.”

This is the second medical mission to the area as part of the international health specialist programs of AFRC, U.S. European Command and U.S. Air Forces in Europe.

“The (program) strives to build medical bridges and expand the medical capabilities of their reservists,” said Tech. Sgt. Rey Garcia, the noncommissioned officer in charge of the program for AFRC at Robins Air Force Base, Ga.

Sergeant Garcia said these missions help Reserve medics gain readiness, cultural and international experience worldwide.

“You can train and prepare day in and day out at home station,” he said, “but being immersed gives Airmen a good idea of how prepared they are to deploy.”