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Warship Essex Assists As Hospital Ship

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS041020-03
Release Date: 10/20/2004 10:34:00 AM

From USS Essex Public Affairs

ABOARD USS ESSEX, North Arabian Gulf (NNS) -- USS Essex (LHD) 2 provided medical assistance to a coalition Sailor while operating in the North Arabian Gulf Oct. 13.

Essex's Medical Department responded to the call for assistance when a sailor aboard Royal Australian Navy's HMAS Adelaide (FFG 1) became ill and needed immediate treatment.

"We were really concerned about what we were going to do with the Sailor," said POMED (Chief Petty Officer equivalent) David Spencer of the Royal Australian Navy. "We needed to get some testing done as soon as possible."

Essex is the premier hospital ship in this theater of operation. Although Essex serves primarily as an amphibious assault ship, embarking more than 1,800 Marines, the ship's secondary mission is to provide high-level hospital care.

"The Essex sickbay is bigger, better equipped, and manned better than a carrier," said Senior Medical Officer Lt. Cmdr. David A. Serafini.

This is the first time Serafini could recall medically assisting a Sailor from one of the other coalition ships operating in this area.

"We are more than happy to help any way we can," said Serafini.

"The Essex is very handy to have around for this kind of situation," added Spencer.

Essex Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 3, which was activated Sept. 10, includes amphibious ships, various cruisers, destroyers, patrol craft, Coast Guard vessels and coalition force ships, and provides security and stability in the North Arabian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.