CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont –
In support of Vermont's State Partnership Program, Soldiers and Airmen of the Vermont National Guard are traveling to Senegal for two weeks to participate in a medical exercise.
Eighteen medical professionals with the Vermont National Guard will travel to St. Louis, Senegal. They will work side-by-side with Senegalese counterparts to support and build relationships in both military and civilian environments.
"Participating in partnership exercises like this benefit the Vermont National Guard by placing them in a forward environment," said Lt. Col Chris Gookin, deputy state surgeon, Vermont National Guard. “It also provides staff members the opportunity to work in more austere conditions, to push them outside of their comfort zone, and to build relationships with their Senegalese health care partners.”
The Vermont National Guard has supported multiple medical exercises across Senegal, most recently in Kolda in 2019
Vermont has partnered with Senegal since 2008 and North Macedonia since 1994. The State Partnership Program is an innovative, cost-effective, and small footprint security cooperation program that connects the National Guard with the militaries of partner-nations around the world.