Beyond the horizon

Capt. Keiron T. Kennedy, a Flight Surgeon from the 42nd Medical Group at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., sutures the gums of a patient who had six rotten tooth-stubs removed at a primary school turned temporary clinic in Hostos, Dom. Rep., April 22, during the largest Maxwell Air Force Base-planned U.S. Air Force Medical Readiness Training Exercise (MEDRETE) to date. A group of 45 medics, translators, security and support personnel derived from the U.S. Air Force, Army and Marines provided dental, dermatologic, general medicine, optometric, pediatric, pharmacy and public health services. The medics treated 2,800 patients during the first three days of the U.S. SOUTHCOM sponsored Beyond the Horizon 2009 – Caribbean. A MEDRETE is a U. S. Southern command-sponsored exercise designed to provide humanitarian assistance and free medical care to the people of the host nation, while providing an unparalleled training opportunity for U.S. and host nation forces. SOUTHCOM sponsors approximately 70 MEDRETEs per year. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Capt. Ben Sakrisson)