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USNS Mercy Departs Jolo

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060611-01
Release Date: 6/11/2006 9:37:00 AM

By Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Erika N. Jones, Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs

ABOARD USNS MERCY, At Sea (NNS) -- The U.S. Navy hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) departed Jolo, Republic of the Philippines, June 10, after successfully completing a seven-day humanitarian assistance mission.

While in Jolo, the Mercy crew, along with several nongovernmental organizations, allied nations and Armed Forces of the Philippines medical professionals, conducted surgeries, dental examinations and extractions, issued eyeglasses and made minor improvements to the Sulu Provincial Hospital.

“We finished our work in Jolo with a sense of great accomplishment mixed with sadness, knowing there is much work still needed for the people here to live in good health,” said Project HOPE’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Chuck Thornsvard, of Columbia, S.C.

In addition to providing medical care ashore, Mercy care providers also held the first Medical and Dental Civil Action Projects aboard, where the Mercy crew treated several hundred patients.

“I’m so happy to get to come aboard this amazing, high-tech ship,” said Ajar L. Jammanq, a 45-year-old Jolo native. “All the Americans were very friendly and helpful.”

Many high-level visitors also toured the ship to see firsthand the work Mercy does on board, including Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo; Kristie Kenny, U.S. ambassador to the Philippines; Adm. William Fallon, commander, U.S. Pacific Command; Adm. Gary Roughead, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet; Sulu Provincial Gov. Benjamin Loong; and Mayor of Jolo, Alkramer Ezquierdo.

“I think it’s going to make a huge difference in the opportunities in the Philippines and ultimately, at the end of the day, it’s going to make a big difference in people’s lives in many, many ways,” said Roughead.

Members of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 40, embarked aboard Mercy for the mission, also contributed by renovating Sulu Provincial Hospital. The Seabees built tables and benches for the patients to use and repainted the outside of the hospital.

“It was pretty exciting, and I’m glad we could help,” said Ensign Brian Chrisnter, officer in charge of the NMCB-40 project. “One thing we are getting out of this is friendship – the biggest accomplishment we could ever achieve.”

Mercy is on a five-month humanitarian deployment to South and Southeast Asia.

Mercy is partnering with nongovernmental organizations for this mission, including Aloha Medical Mission, Project HOPE, and the U.S. Public Health Services.

Mercy’s Navy crew is also working side by side with members of the Air Force and Army, as well as armed forces from Canada, India, and the Philippines.

For related news, visit the Pacific Fleet Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/cpf/.