U.S. and Ghana Armed Forces strengthen medical readiness at SETAF-AF Best Medic Competition

Accra, Ghana – Medical professionals representing Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) joined counterparts from Italy, Liberia and the United States to test their medical proficiency at the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) Best Medic Competition at Caserma Del Din, Vicenza, Italy, January 5-15, 2026.

The event challenged 24 medical personnel to demonstrate their physical endurance and technical proficiency under simulated combat conditions.

For the second consecutive year, Ghana fielded a joint four-person team comprised of army, navy, and air force personnel. Their participation underscores an enduring security partnership with the United States, specifically in medical readiness.

"Ghana’s continued participation in this premier event is a testament to the professional caliber of its medical personnel," said Rolf Olson, Chargé d'affaires ad interim at the U.S. Embassy in Accra. "They are not just training for a competition, they are solidifying a partnership that saves lives. This builds on our overall security cooperation, such as the recent C-17 flight that transported Ghana Armed Forces in December 2025 to Jamaica to deliver humanitarian assistance.”

The event featured two distinct phases: a knowledge exchange and a rigorous competition. The schedule included chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear training, resiliency and mindful movement training, marksmanship with an M4 carbine, and instruction in trauma care and prolonged casualty care. The two-day competition, spanning January 13-14, replicated the physical demands of the life-saving conditions.

In conclusion, the competition resulted in exceptional GAF performance, including Sgt. Cornelius Adagbe and Leading Seaman Ato Amonoo‑Rockson, GAF medical personnel, securing third place overall with 2,789 out of 3,000 points. Amonoo‑Rockson earned the second highest U.S. Army Fitness Test score with 454 out of 500, while Adagbe finished second in the unknown distance foot march.

Top medical performers included U.S. Army Spc. Tucker Ranney, SETAF‑AF medic, and Ato Amonoo‑Rockson, for delayed evacuation casualty management; U.S. Army Sgt. Dylan Ray, 173rd Airborne Brigade medic, and Cpt. Emmanuel Oti‑Boateng, GAF medic, for tactical combat casualty care; and U.S. Army Sgt. Kaitlin Flynn, 173rd Airborne Brigade medic, Adagbe, and Amonoo‑Rockson for K-9 casualty care.

“This competition is about building medical excellence for the fight today,” said U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Shanett Robinson, chief medical noncommissioned officer of SETAF-AF. “We’re creating a high-stress, interoperable environment where U.S. soldiers and our international medics can validate their skills.”

The multinational environment allowed Ghanaian, Italian, Liberian and U.S. medics to refine advanced skills in delayed evacuation and trauma management, ensuring all forces are prepared to integrate seamlessly during future crises.

About SETAF-AF
SETAF-AF prepares Army forces, executes crisis response, enables strategic competition and strengthens partners to achieve campaign objectives for U.S. Army Europe and Africa and U.S. Africa Command.