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Maritime Civil Affairs Squadron Sets Out for Maiden Deployment

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080505-10
Release Date: 5/5/2008 3:19:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW/AW) Jen Smith, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- The first of two teams from Maritime Civil Affairs Squadron (MCAS) 1 deployed for the first time, April 26, in support of Pacific Partnership 2008.

Pacific Partnership is a humanitarian deployment, and this year the goal is to build upon relationships and goodwill established during USNS Mercy's (T-AH 19) 2006 deployment and USS Peleliu's (LHA 5) deployment during Pacific Partnership 2007. This year's effort is to demonstrate U.S. commitment to the region and to promote peace and stability in the Western Pacific.

During this year's deployment, the teams are scheduled to visit five countries in the Pacific: Republic of the Philippines, Vietnam, the Federated States of Micronesia, Timor-Leste and Papua New Guinea.

"I've deployed almost a dozen times in my career," said Boatswain's Mate 1st Class (SW) Rolly Ramos, a team member for Maritime Civil Affairs Teams (MCAT) 102, led by Lt. Cmdr. George Dolan.

"I think this is going to be the most rewarding based on the countries we're visiting and the important work we are going to be doing. It's definitely going to be different from the work I did as a boatswain's mate on a ship," Ramos said.

To prepare for their deployment, the squadron coordinated customized standard language and cultural training with Navy Expeditionary Combat Command and Pacific Command.

"We've been training and preparing for this mission since we reported to the squadron," said Lt. Josh Frey, officer in charge of MCAT 101. "We were able to tailor a lot of the training and the way we were manned and equipped specifically for Pacific Partnership. It's been a lot of hard work to get to this point and we're excited to go into the field and get to work."

In addition to the special training they received, MCAS was also able to tailor the diversity of the teams to suit the mission.

"My team chief is from [the Republic of the Philippines] and speaks [two of the major dialects]," said Frey. "We also have a Sailor who speaks Chinese who will have the ability to speak with local business owners from China."

In 2007, the Peleliu conducted a four-month humanitarian mission, visiting several countries in the region, providing a variety of medical, dental, and preventative medicine services to more than 31,000 patients. An embarked construction battalion also completed 44 total projects to include hospital refurbishment, school refurbishment, road and flood control, solar panel installation and playground construction. According to Navy leadership, these humanitarian and civic assistance missions build international relationships both in a deliberate, proactive fashion and in response to crises.

For more news from Navy Expeditionary Combat Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/necc/.