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Harpers Ferry Completes Delivery of Ambulances, Medical Supplies to Zamboanga

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS061031-05
Release Date: 10/31/2006 3:15:00 PM

By Air Force Sgt. Tim Meyer, Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines Public Affairs

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Republic of the Philippines (NNS) -- Thanks to the amphibious dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49), Project Handclasp and a private U.S. charity organization, five ambulances were delivered here Oct. 25, along with $80,000 in supplies to be distributed to medical care organizations in the southern Philippines.

The ambulances, donated by 3P (Promotion of Peace and Prosperity in the Philippines) Foundation USA, were onloaded by Harpers Ferry Oct. 18 in Subic Bay and were delivered to Zamboanga courtesy of a landing craft utility (LCU) of Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 1, Detachment Western Pacific. One ambulance was immediately transferred over to local officials of Zamboanga, while the other four will be distributed throughout the southern Philippines region; more ambulances are expected to arrive at a later date.

"Our nation and our Navy have a long and wonderful history with the people of the Philippines, and we are genuinely grateful to be here and to be able to be a part of this effort," said Harpers Ferry Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Marlin C. Anthony. "We know that these ambulances will be put to good use and will hopefully aid countless lives in the region."

While Harpers Ferry and ACU 1, together with Project Handclasp, deserve the credit in the delivery, it was 3P that purchased ambulances, paying nearly $20,000, with extra costs, like refurbishment included, for each one. Armando “Andy” de Rossi, an Italian philanthropist and co-founder of 3P Foundation, who was on hand for the ceremony in Zamboanga, said the donation was just his way of helping end terrorism in the area.

“I’m a firm believer that the private sector has to do its part in the war on terror,” said de Rossi. “We are here jointly, with the U.S. military, to promote peace, prosperity, democracy and freedom.”

One of the ambulances delivered was presented to the local fire department here, with Zamboanga Fire Chief Jamie Ramirez on hand to accept the keys. Ramirez and de Rossi were joined in a brief ceremony by Lt. Gen. Eugenio Cedo, commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Western Mindanao Command, and Anthony.

In addition to the U.S. Navy’s participation, the Philippine military is providing port services and temporary storage for the four ambulances before they go on to their destinations on the islands of Jolo and Tawi Tawi. The ambulances will be used by hospitals, the Red Cross and other medical organizations.

Anthony said that his ship's connection to the Philippines is enhanced by the Filipino American Sailors who are part of the Harpers Ferry crew; 36 of the 350 crew members serving aboard Harpers Ferry are Filipino American.

De Rossi said 3P is working with the U.S. embassy in Manila to distribute nine more ambulances which are in the country, adding that he expects to bring more. These are “coming from the heart of your brothers in the U.S.A. to our brothers in the Philippines, whom we love so much.”

The U.S. military’s partnership with the 3P Foundation continues in the form of the Humanitarian Assistance Program - Excess Property (HAP-EP.)

In addition to the ambulances about $80,000 in medical supplies were also delivered from Harpers Ferry under the HAP-EP program, as outlined in DoD-directive 5105.38-M. When the U.S. military has excess supplies no longer being used, they can be given to nongovernmental organizations, such as 3P. These medical supplies, from military units on Okinawa, will be distributed throughout the Philippines.

In addition to helping deliver the ambulances and medical supplies, members of Harpers Ferry participated in a beautification project at a local school Oct. 26.

The U.S. Navy’s Project Handclasp allows property of a nongovernmental organization to be transported aboard ships as space allows. The program is a one-of-a-kind partnership of military, government and private sector entities and involves U.S. theater commanders, U.S. Navy operational commanders, U.S. embassies and the units of U.S. sea services.

Harpers Ferry is part of the Sasebo, Japan-based Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), which serves under Commander, Task Force 76. Task Force 76 is the Navy’s only forward-deployed amphibious force and is headquartered at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan, with an operating detachment in Sasebo, Japan.