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ANDERSEN MEMBERS RETURN FROM USNS MERCY HUMANITARIAN MISSION

  • Published Sept. 11, 2006
  • By 36th Wing
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam --   Members from the 36th Medical Group, from the 36th Wing and the U.S. Navy Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 25, stationed at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam returned Sunday following a 72-day humanitarian-and-civic-assistance deployment on the USNS Mercy.

While embarked on USNS Mercy, service members and civilians participated in theater security cooperation and medical assistance missions in partnership with non-governmental organizations, international military medical personnel and host nations of the Philippines, Bangladesh, Indonesia and East Timor. The Mercy team cared for over 60,000 patients, performed over 1,000 surgeries, repaired nearly 250 pieces of biomedical equipment, conducted over 300 preventative medicine surveys and inspections, and trained over 6,000 people in a variety of medical topics such as Basic Life Support, Biomedical Repair, and Cardiovascular Electrocardiogram training.

"I think we put a lot of effort into this deployment and accomplished a lot," said Senior Airman Christina Vanderpool, a medical planner for the 36th Medical Group. "It's hard to explain the feelings, knowing that I was part of the Mercy crew, and I was able to help so many people."

Upon arriving on Guam the returning members were flown via a HSC-25 MH-60S helicopter directly from their naval landing at Naval Station Guam across the island to a joint homecoming celebration hosted by both the Air Force and Navy at Andersen Air Force Base.

"Our team learned a great deal from this mission, but the one thing that stands out above all else is the level of care and compassion shown by Team Mercy toward those who have needed our help," said Senior Master Sgt. Rick McCoy, a medical technician for the 36th Medical Group.

"I'm just happy and excited to be home," said Airman Vanderpool. "It's a great feeling of accomplishment not only helping all of those people, but also completing the joint deployment with the various Services."

USNS Mercy was on a five-month deployment during which it visited areas of South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands where its crew and several health and civic-related organizations worked together to aid in humanitarian assistance and civic efforts.

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