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First Mercy Sailors Return Home After Humanitarian Deployment

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060908-12
9/8/2006

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Rialyn C. Rodrigo, Fleet Public Affairs Center, Pacific

CORONADO, Calif. (NNS) -- Nearly 200 Sailors from the U.S. Navy hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) returned home early to Naval Air Station, North Island (NASNI) Sept. 4 after completing a four-month humanitarian mission in Southeast Asia.

Mercy participated in theater security cooperation and medical assistance missions in partnership with non-governmental organizations, international military medical personnel and the host nations of the Philippines, Bangladesh, Indonesia and East Timor.

“It was an amazing experience, and we learned a lot,” said Capt. Dennis Amundson, a doctor assigned to Mercy for the deployment. “I think we spread goodwill for the United States through Southeast Asia.”

During deployment, Mercy provided medical and dental services and conducted civic action programs that included a wide range of services including basic medical and dental evaluation, optometry screening and general surgery.

“This is the right mission for USNS Mercy,” said Amundson. “I look forward to doing more for the future deployments. I think there are more underserved places that we can go and do some good for United States and the world."

Mercy’s primary mission is to provide rapid, flexible and mobile acute medical and surgical services to support Marine Corps, Army and Air Force units deployed ashore and naval amphibious task forces and battle forces afloat.

“I think we put a lot of effort into this deployment and accomplished a lot,” said Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Bryan Duong. “It’s hard to explain the feelings, knowing that I was part of Mercy crew, and I was able to help so many people.”

Spouses, family members and friends waited at the NASNI Air Terminal to greet the returning Sailors.

“I’m happy and excited to be home,” said Hospitalman Christopher Ergle. “I feel great completing the deployment, and we want everybody to know that we are out there to help.”

The remaining crew members of Mercy are expected to return later this month.