Citizens line up for the medical readiness training exercise (MEDRETE) in the municipality of Malacatan, San Marcos. The MEDRETE is a ten day exercise set to focus on key medical issues in the area to include basic pediatric care, optometry, dental,...

120501-A-ZZ999-001: Citizens line up for the medical readiness training exercise (MEDRETE) in the municipality of Malacatan, San Marcos. The MEDRETE is a ten day exercise set to focus on key medical issues in the area to include basic pediatric car...

120501-A-ZZ999-009: Local children of Malacatan, San Marcos stop for a picture while attending the Beyond the Horizon 2012 medical readiness training exercise (MEDRETE). The MEDRETE is a ten day exercise set to focus on key medical issues in the ar...

120501-A-ZZ999-007: Army Sgt. Tomas Oliverez assists Air Force Cpt. Karla Adams as she performs a checkup in the pediatric tent for the Beyond the Horizon (BTH) medical readiness training exercise (MEDRETE). The MEDRETE consists of a joint effort o...

120501-A-ZZ999-007: Army Sgt. Tomas Oliverez assists Air Force Cpt. Karla Adams as she performs a checkup in the pediatric tent for the Beyond the Horizon (BTH) medical readiness training exercise (MEDRETE). The MEDRETE consists of a joint effort o...

120501-A-ZZ999-006: Air Force Maj. David Wells speaks with children before performing a dental examination for the Beyond the Horizon (BTH) medical readiness training exercise (MEDRETE). The MEDRETE will last five days in Malacatan San Marcos befor...

120501-A-ZZ999-005: Air Force Cpt. Carli Murphy prepares supplies while Maj. Darrell Baskin performs an eye examination on a citizen in the area of San Marcos during the medical readiness training exercise (MEDRETE). The MEDRETE will last five da...

120501-A-ZZ999-004: Citizens in the area of San Marcos line up at the ophthalmology tent to receive free vision care. The medical readiness training exercise will last five days in Malacatan San Marcos before moving to the neighboring municipality ...

120501-A-ZZ999-003: Air Force Lt. Col. Michael Roberts, commander of the 59th Maternal Child Care Squadron (MCCS), addresses the citizens of Malacatan, San Marcos during the opening ceremony of the medical readiness training exercise (MEDRETE). The ...

120501-A-ZZ999-001: Citizens line up for the medical readiness training exercise (MEDRETE) in the municipality of Malacatan, San Marcos. The MEDRETE is a ten day exercise set to focus on key medical issues in the area to include basic pediatric car...

120501-A-ZZ999-011: Air Force Lt. Col. Steven Peine checks the status of a small child as they pass through the dermatology tent at the Beyond the Horizon medical readiness training exercise (MEDRETE). The MEDRETE will last five days in Malacatan...

BTH-R12-008

Malacatán, GUATEMALA - Airmen of the 59th Medical Wing, based out of Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, along with members of Task Force Arriero's Partnership of the America's Command and Control Element (PACCE), were in the municipality of Malacatan, San Marcos for the start of a medical readiness training exercise (MEDRETE) April 30.

MEDRETE, as part of U.S. Army South's and U.S. Southern Command's Beyond the Horizon, is a five day mini exercise set to focus on key medical issues in the area to include basic pediatric, optometry, dental, dermatology care, as well as internal medicine support to the people of San Marcos and surrounding areas.

"Our whole team is thrilled to be here further cultivating the already strong relationship shared by the United States and Guatemala," said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Michael Roberts, commander of the 59th Maternal Child Care Squadron and one of the senior U.S. officers on the ground. "We know these exercises will further solidify our ability to operate together."

The citizens of the area had been expecting this event for quite some time and it showed. The first day of the event was considered a huge success. An estimated 932 citizens were taken care of, exceeding projected numbers. BTH and the MEDRETE is a joint effort between U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army and the Guatemalan army.

BTH 2012 is a U.S. Army South planned exercise that deploys military engineers and medical professionals to Guatemala for training, while providing services to rural communities. BTH's are conducted annually in SOUTHCOM area of responsibility and are part of its humanitarian and civic assistance program.

"I'm glad our two countries are working together and I expect this partnership to continue," said Col. Edgar Dario Sandoval of the Guatemalan Army, "I have a great outlook for the future concerning this event."

The first day of the MEDRETE started at 8 a.m., with an opening ceremony, after which the citizens of San Marcos were treated.

"Ensuring the education of health, preventive diseases, and diagnosing the people of San Marcos is what this is all about," said Capt. Phillip Sanchez, PACCE medical planner.

The exercise is a combination of Airmen and Soldiers experiencing their first BTH as well as those returning for a second and third time.

"I think it's a kind and honorable gesture for the U.S. to show the people of Guatemala that we care," said Capt. Karla Dennard, an obstetrician and gynecologist here on her first BTH mission, "Being of Hispanic descent, it makes me feel great to be able to assist where I can."

After the MEDRETE in Malacatan is finished another will take place in neighboring Tecun Uman for another five days.