Utah
Utah National Guard’s State Partnership Program brings healthcare to underserved Moroccan people
Service members from the State Headquarters Medical Readiness Detachment (MRD), Utah Army National Guard (UTARNG) and Moroccan Royal Armed Forces provide ophthalmological care to civilians at a field hospital during African Lion 2024 (AL24) in Akka, Morocco, May 25, 2024. The Utah National Guard has been partners with Morocco through the Department of Defense State Partnership Program for 21 years and led the effort to partner with the Moroccan Royal Armed Forces for a humanitarian civic assistance (HCA) operation during African Lion 2024 (AL24). The HCA event enables U.S. military personnel to work with their Moroccan counterparts to provide medical services to civilian populations who may lack access to medical care, while improving the operational readiness of participating service members. AL24 marks the 20th anniversary of U.S. Africa Command’s premier joint exercise led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), running from April 19 to May 31 across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia, with over 8,100 participants from 27 nations and NATO contingents. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Trenton Pallone)
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Moroccan Royal Armed Forces provide ophthalmological care to civilians at a field hospital during African Lion 2024 (AL24) in Akka, Morocco, May 25, 2024. The Utah National Guard has been partners with Morocco through the Department of Defense State Partnership Program for 21 years and led the effort to partner with the Moroccan Royal Armed Forces for a humanitarian civic assistance (HCA) operation during African Lion 2024 (AL24). The HCA event enables U.S. military personnel to work with their Moroccan counterparts to provide medical services to civilian populations who may lack access to medical care, while improving the operational readiness of participating service members. AL24 marks the 20th anniversary of U.S. Africa Command’s premier joint exercise led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), running from April 19 to May 31 across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia, with over 8,100 participants from 27 nations and NATO contingents. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Trenton Pallone)
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Back to U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa
AKKA, Morocco – The State Headquarters Medical Readiness Detachment (MRD), Utah National Guard (UTNG), based in Bluffdale, Utah and Morocco’s Royal Armed Forces (FAR) worked together to provide medical services to residents in Akka, Morocco, and the surrounding area, during African Lion 2024 (AL24).
These services fall under the umbrella of humanitarian civic assistance (HCA) operations, in which the U.S. military conducts activities in one of four categories to promote the security interests of the U.S. and the participating nation while improving the operational readiness of participating service members.
“The HCA is an event that we’ve put on for the last 20 years,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Mark Evans, officer-in-charge of the MRD. “We go to remote areas with limited access to medical care and, in conjunction with our Moroccan counterparts, build a hospital out of nothing. The hospital is quite advanced given the conditions.”
HCA events occur throughout the year, but this iteration coincided with the largest military exercise in Africa.
AL24 is U.S. Africa Command’s premier joint exercise, led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), running from April 19 to May 31 across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia, featuring over 8,100 participants from 27 nations and NATO contingents.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the exercise series and the Utah National Guard’s state partnership with the Kingdom of Morocco. The National Guard began its State Partnership Program in 1993 and has grown to include 92 partnerships with 106 nations.
Utah’s initial partnership was with the Republic of Belarus; however, that agreement came to an end in 2003. Beginning the same year, Utah transitioned to its current relationship with Morocco, bringing forth the first of many HCA programs.
With the help of FAR medical soldiers and Moroccan civilian medical professionals, Utah’s MRD provides services such as cardiology, dental surgery, lab work, X-ray services and more to hundreds of Moroccan people. Translators are assigned one or two service providers to help relay the needs of the patients and suggestions from the Moroccan specialist to the Soldiers handling their care.
“Everyone comes out a winner in this,” Evans said. “For the Moroccan people with limited healthcare, they have all of their medical concerns addressed in a timely manner. And for the military – both from Morocco and the U.S. – this is a chance to actually exercise what we do when conducting combat missions or humanitarian support elsewhere in the world.”
Keeping the field hospital running also comes with its fair share of challenges.
Moroccan Royal Armed Forces and the State Headquarters Medical Readiness Detachment (MRD), Utah National Guard, set up a field hopsital during African Lion 2024 (AL24) to treat civilians in Akka, Morocco, May 25, 2024. The Utah National Guard has been partners with Morocco through the Department of Defense State Partnership Program for 21 years and led the effort to partner with the Moroccan Royal Armed Forces for a humanitarian civic assistance (HCA) operation during African Lion 2024 (AL24). The HCA event enables U.S. military personnel to work with their Moroccan counterparts to provide medical services to civilian populations who may lack access to medical care, while improving the operational readiness of participating service members. AL24 marks the 20th anniversary of U.S. Africa Command’s premier joint exercise led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), running from April 19 to May 31 across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia, with over 8,100 participants from 27 nations and NATO contingents. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Trenton Pallone)
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U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Robert Stevens, the senior enlisted advisor to Evans, said that Akka’s climate—where temperatures can reach over 100 degrees Fahrenheit on some days—forced them to adjust their pharmaceutical operations. Morocco primarily runs the pharmacy operations with resupply support from the UTNG. To gain some much needed relief from the heat, the facility offers a daycare area where U.S. and Moroccan soldiers entertain children while cooling down.
U.S. Army Lt. Col. Mark Evans, State Headquarters Medical Readiness Detachment (MRD), Utah Army National Guard (UTARNG), entertains children at a field hospital during African Lion 2024 (AL24) in Akka, Morocco, May 25, 2024. The Utah National Guard has been partners with Morocco through the Department of Defense State Partnership Program for 21 years and led the effort to partner with the Moroccan Royal Armed Forces for a humanitarian civic assistance (HCA) operation during African Lion 2024 (AL24). The HCA event enables U.S. military personnel to work with their Moroccan counterparts to provide medical services to civilian populations who may lack access to medical care, while improving the operational readiness of participating service members. AL24 marks the 20th anniversary of U.S. Africa Command’s premier joint exercise led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), running from April 19 to May 31 across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia, with over 8,100 participants from 27 nations and NATO contingents. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Trenton Pallone) (This photo has been altered to blur the identity of the children in the photo.)
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“We had to relocate the pharmacy because of temperature control,” Stevens said. “We didn’t have the full capability to provide that for some of the medicine because if they go above or below a certain temperature, the meds are no good. They send the supply request to us and our staff, [then] we send a group out to go pick up the pharmacy supplies and bring them back here.”
Although the current HCA operations are temporary, there is a lasting impact on the MRD soldiers and the FAR. The MRD has provided over 70,000 services to the Moroccan people as of May 28, which puts them well on track to their goal of 91,000 medical treatments completed, according to Stevens.
Evans also noted that years of operating the field hospital helped the FAR establish expeditionary medical forces in Jordan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
For a soldier like U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Nelson, the MRD’s clinical manager of the HCA exercise and a paramedic back in the U.S., the benefits of working on this mission are twofold.
U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to the State Headquarters Medical Readiness Detachment (MRD), Utah National Guard provide dental care to patients at a field hospital as part of a humanitarian civic assistance mission during African Lion 2024 (AL24) in Akka, Morocco, May 25, 2024. The Utah National Guard has been partners with Morocco through the Department of Defense State Partnership Program since 2003 and led the effort to partner with the Moroccan Royal Armed Forces for a humanitarian civic assistance (HCA) operation during African Lion 2024 (AL24). The HCA event enables U.S. military personnel to work with their Moroccan counterparts to provide medical services to civilian populations who may lack access to medical care, while improving the operational readiness of participating service members. AL24 marks the 20th anniversary of the U.S. Africa Command’s premier joint exercise led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), running from April 19 to May 31 across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia, with over 8,100 participants from 27 nations and NATO contingents. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Trenton Pallone)
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“I’ve had the opportunity to learn from the emergency doctors here with the Moroccan military and other doctors how to treat patients in an austere environment,” Nelson said. “That knowledge is critical and crucial to my ability to be a better medic and treat more patients in the U.S.”
Utah splits its yearly obligation to the HCA mission between its Army and Air National Guard, meaning the latter will take charge during African Lion 2025.
Improving partnerships and operational effectiveness through multinational collaboration is one of the primary tenets of the exercise and the Utah National Guard remains committed to doing its part to meet that objective.
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Oklahoma State Cowboys (14-6, 2-5 Big 12) at Utah Utes (9-11, 1-6 Big 12)
Salt Lake City; Saturday, 6 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: Utah takes on Oklahoma State after Keanu Dawes scored 23 points in Utah’s 91-78 loss to the BYU Cougars.
The Utes are 8-3 on their home court. Utah is 2-5 in games decided by at least 10 points.
The Cowboys have gone 2-5 against Big 12 opponents. Oklahoma State scores 86.2 points and has outscored opponents by 5.8 points per game.
Utah makes 46.6% of its shots from the field this season, which is 2.5 percentage points higher than Oklahoma State has allowed to its opponents (44.1%). Oklahoma State averages 86.2 points per game, 4.7 more than the 81.5 Utah allows.
The Utes and Cowboys face off Saturday for the first time in conference play this season.
TOP PERFORMERS: Terrence Brown is scoring 22.2 points per game with 2.1 rebounds and 3.9 assists for the Utes. Don McHenry is averaging 18.5 points over the last 10 games.
Kanye Clary is averaging 9.6 points and 4.9 assists for the Cowboys. Anthony Roy is averaging 18.3 points over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Utes: 2-8, averaging 78.7 points, 28.5 rebounds, 13.5 assists, 5.7 steals and 2.6 blocks per game while shooting 46.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 84.3 points per game.
Cowboys: 5-5, averaging 82.5 points, 32.1 rebounds, 14.4 assists, 8.3 steals and 2.6 blocks per game while shooting 46.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 83.5 points.
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
PROVO, Utah (KUTV) — Superintendents for the three new Utah County school districts have officially been selected by their respective school boards.
Dr. Joel Perkins was sworn in as the superintendent for Aspen Peaks School District, Dr. Vicki Carter was named the superintendent for the Lake Mountain School District, and Dr. Joseph N. Jensen was selected as the superintendent for Timpanogos School District.
The three school districts will officially begin operating in July 2027 after voters approved breaking the existing school district – The Alpine School District – into three new ones in 2024.
The Aspen Peaks School District will oversee schools in Lehi, American Fork, Highland, Cedar Hills and Alpine. Lake Mountain covers schools in Saratoga Springs, Eagle Mountain, Cedar Valley, Cedar Fort and Fairfield. The Timpanogos School District will be made up of schools in Lindon, Pleasant Grove, Orem and Vineyard.
MORE | Alpine School District
Eye On Education (Graphic: KUTV)
Dr. Perkins, who serves as the current associate superintendent in the Alpine School District, will continue to serve in his role until June 30 of this year. Aspen Peaks officials said Perkins will then work with the school board to hire staff, determine funding, and consider school boundaries.
“This is my community. I have lived here and worked here for the last 27 years. My family and I have invested our hearts and souls into the schools in this area,” said Perkins. “I love the students, families, and employees here. It is the honor of a lifetime to partner with this community to build the new Aspen Peaks School District.”
Meanwhile, Dr. Vicki Carter was named as the inaugural superintendent for Lake Mountain after an “exhaustive search” with over 20 applicants. The Lake Mountain school board described Dr. Carter as a veteran educator with 35 years of experience who is dedicated to building trust, respect and academic excellence.
The Lake Mountain School Board also named Dr. Amanda Bollinger, who has 25 years in Utah education, as deputy superintendent.
“We are proud to launch our district with such a distinguished team,” said Lake Mountain Board President Julie King. “They are seamlessly aligned with our vision for innovation and student success.”
In the Timpanogos School District, the school board said Dr. Joseph Jensen brings decades of educational leadership experience that was “deeply rooted” in the school district’s communities. His career has seen him serving students and families in Oak Canyon, Orem High, Orem Junior High and Timpanogos High, most recently as the Alpine School District’s Director of Administrative Development.
“I love the people in these communities. I lived in Pleasant Grove for ten years and spent my entire administrative career serving students, teachers, and families in Orem, Vineyard and Lindon,” said Dr. Jensen. “I have countless memories of exceptional teachers, coaches, and support staff who work tirelessly to develop young people – in classrooms, extracurricular activities, and programs.”
The Timpanogos School District said Jensen intends to visit all 29 schools in the district to “listen, learn, and connect with staff, parents and administrators.”
The three school districts now move on to the next step ahead of their 2027 launch, including filling additional roles such as business administrators.
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By John Coon, The Associated Press
SALT LAKE CITY — Stephen Curry scored 27 points, Moses Moody had 26 and the Golden State Warriors beat the Utah Jazz 140-124 on Wednesday night.
Gui Santos had 16 points off the bench for the Warriors. Golden State made 23 3-pointers and never trailed over the final three quarters. Moody led the way with five 3s.
The 140 points scored by the Warriors was their season high.
Brice Sensabaugh scored 22 points off the bench for Utah. Keyonte George had 19 points and seven assists. Ace Bailey also scored 19 points for the Jazz and Lauri Markkanen had 18.
Utah trimmed a 22-point deficit to single digits entering the fourth quarter. The Jazz drew to 108-100 on a pair of free throws from Isaiah Collier with 9:52 left. Curry made back-to-back baskets to restore a double-digit lead.
Golden State used a 20-2 run to go up 136-109 with 3:29 left.
Golden State made it rain from the perimeter early, going 15 of 31 from long distance before halftime. Eight different players made an outside basket for the Warriors in the first half. Buddy Hield and Moody accounted for three apiece before halftime.
Hield buried back-to-back 3s a minute into the second quarter to cap a 19-8 run that gave Golden State a 40-24 lead. The Warriors built a 16-point lead three other times in the second quarter — the final time when Quinten Post made a 3-pointer to make it 64-48.
Golden State expanded its lead to 22 points in the third quarter, going up 91-69 on a pair of free throws from Curry.
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