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Juneau Welcomes Army Aboard

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060306-10
Release Date: 3/7/2006 3:43:00 AM

From USS Juneau Public Affairs

USS JUNEAU, At Sea (NNS) -- A special group of Army doctors, dentists and veterinarians boarded USS Juneau (LPD 10) and met a new type of operational environment Feb. 17-March 3, to accomplish a string of civil military operations (CMO) in Jolo, Republic of Philippines, as a part of Exercise Balikatan 2006.

The Army, teamed with Navy personnel, formed a medical team that brought medical services to 11,373 Filipinos and 504 animals over the course of seven medical civil action projects (MEDCAP).

Juneau provided the staging ground and home during the projects, airlifting the medical team in and out each day. Juneau gave the nourishment and bed rest that the team needed to take on the next project phase.

“We felt very privileged to have the Army medical personnel aboard Juneau and to be able to offer the dynamic platform for them to achieve their mission,” said Capt. Ronald Horton, Juneau commanding officer. “I know that the Soldiers were able to learn a lot about the Navy while here and Sailors were able to learn a lot from them, paving the way for future successful joint operations.”

The most fascinating element for the Soldiers was walking around the ship and seeing the multitude of evolutions that are characteristic of Navy ships, especially amphibious vessels. The Army Soldiers enthusiastically asked questions about lines, flags and the jacket colors of air department personnel. A highlight for the Army was watching an underway replenishment (UNREP) and also watching a movie on the Juneau flight deck.

“There is certainly a lot to see and do,” said Army Col. David Crudo, Balikatan MEDCAP planner and officer-in-charge of the medical team.

The Soldiers surprisingly never complained of seasickness but did enjoy the hot showers, a rarity in the field.

“The self sufficiency of a ship amazes me,” said Army Staff Sgt. Victoria Reeves, an optometry technician. “You have all you need, even Internet.”

Juneau operates out of Sasebo, Japan, and is the Navy’s only forward-deployed amphibious transport dock. The Forward Deployed ARG is part of Task Force 76, the Navy's only forward-deployed amphibious force, which is headquartered at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan, with an operating detachment in Sasebo, Japan.