U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Leads First Tanzanian Medical Readiness Exercise
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U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Angela Ling led the first-ever Tanzanian medical readiness exercise at Lugalo General Military Hospital and Msata Military Training Base. The exercise, which took place March 2-12, was part of the Nebraska-Tanzania State Partnership Program, designed to enhance medical training and foster cooperation between the two countries by involving U.S. and Tanzanian medical professionals. Ling, with a background in nursing and operational planning, utilized U.S. Army and Air Force specialties from across the Nebraska National Guard and active-duty personnel, shaped the exercise according to Tanzanian needs, and incorporated a new technology developed by the U.S. Air Force to track medical readiness.
US Air Force Lt. Col. Angela Ling Leads Groundbreaking Medical Exercise in Tanzania
US Air Force Lt. Col. Angela Ling led the Tanzanian medical readiness exercise, Justified Accord 26, transforming a state partnership into real-world operational readiness. The event took place at Lugalo General Military Hospital and Msata Military Training Base from March 2-12, showcasing the impact of the Nebraska-Tanzania State Partnership Program. It provided an opportunity for US and Tanzanian medical professionals to train together, fostering long-term collaboration.
Ling, of the 155th Medical Group, Nebraska Air National Guard, designed this mission by leveraging distinct medical specialists from US Army and Air Force units across the Nebraska National Guard. She prioritized the Tanzanian partners’ needs over the typical composition of a US team. “We focus on the host nation’s preferred specialties,” said Ling. “It’s not just about what Nebraska can provide, but what they need and want to improve readiness.”
Having been part of the Nebraska National Guard since 2019, Ling managed all COVID-19 operations for Nebraska by September 2020. Her role in the pandemic response marked a shift from a clinical provider to an operational planner. Currently, she holds a leadership role at the University of Nebraska Medical Center Global Center for Health Security, managing disaster health response grants and designing medical engagements in constrained environments.
The exercise in Tanzania utilized Medical Currency Application for Readiness Tracking 2.0, a cloud-enabled medical tracking platform developed by the US Air Force. This technology was used for the first time in an Army-led military exercise in Africa, allowing providers to log encounters, procedures, diagnoses, and clinical hours through a mobile interface.
The exercise showcases the potential of the Nebraska-Tanzania partnership and the essential role National Guard planners play in strengthening global military cooperation. Ling believes that the ongoing communication and trust-building involved in these engagements lead to more effective crisis response. “The relationship builds over multiple visits as you gain mutual trust,” Ling said.
Justified Accord, led by the US Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), is the largest US Africa Command exercise in East Africa. This year, it was hosted in Djibouti, Kenya, and Tanzania, aiming to increase multinational interoperability, prepare regional partners for United Nations and African Union missions, and build readiness for the US joint force.
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