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CNO Visits Mercy

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060727-01
Release Date: 7/27/2006 8:40:00 AM

From Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs

BANDA ACEH, Indonesia (NNS) -- Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Mike Mullen took the opportunity to visit USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) July 23 while wrapping up a recent trip through Southeast Asia.

The hospital ship, currently operating off the coast of Indonesia, is conducting humanitarian assistance operations with several embarked international relief teams, including medical professionals and nongovernmental organizations, such as Project Hope.

While aboard, the CNO conducted an all hands call and thanked the multinational audience and crew for their hard work and efforts.

“I’m very grateful for your service, your time and the incredible job you’re doing, and I’m grateful for the sacrifice and service of your families,” he said.

He spoke to the crew of the importance of Mercy’s mission to the Navy, the host nations and the international effort that has come together to complete the undertaking.

“This is a very viable mission. You’re making a difference in people’s lives so that parents can raise their children in a world that’s secure, so that their children can have a future,” Mullen said. “What you’re doing out here is a big deal, and you’re setting a standard and showing the way.”

Mercy’s director of nursing services, Lt. Cmdr. Maryann Mattonen, agreed with CNO that Mercy is making a difference throughout Southeast Asia.

“You can see the gratitude in people’s faces, and they shake your hand,” she said. “That really is something that will stay with me for a while.”

After the all hands call, Mullen received a command ball cap and coin from the ship's Sailors and Bluejacket of the Quarter.

Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Ria Villena, one of Mercy’s Sailors of the Quarter, said it personally meant a lot to meet the highest ranking officer in the Navy.

“It’s good that he’s here looking out for his people and answering our questions,” Villena said.

Throughout Mullen’s tour of the mobile hospital, he talked with crew members about their experiences in the Navy and the ship’s three-month humanitarian assistance mission to the Pacific islands, and South and Southeast Asia.

Military Sealift Command (MSC) sailor Walter Christ, third assistant engineer and a native of Sidman, Pa., said the engine room usually gets left out of VIP visits, but was proud to have CNO stop by.

“It really meant a lot to have him come down and check out and see what really makes the ship get everywhere,” he said.

The CNO tried to get a feel for every aspect of life aboard the hospital ship. In addition to the engine room, he met with food service assistants in the scullery and nurses in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

“He seemed very interested in the details of how we were working and the welfare of the nursing staff,” said ICU Division Officer, Lt. Tara Collins. “I got an overall sense that he really was concerned and really wanted to get the message out that he’s watching us and that what we’re doing now is going to shape the future of Navy medicine, and how the Navy deals with issues with other nations.”

Mercy also welcomed the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Indonesia, B. Lynn Pascoe, and the Indonesian Armed Forces Surgeon General Hidayat, who toured the ship and met with various members of the mission crew.

“I’ve been here four times,” Hidayat said. “It’s a big ship with lots of capabilities; that’s very useful in my country of 17,000 islands with many people with health problems.”

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