Olongapo residents grateful for US humanitarian mission
Villagers in Olongapo City who numbered to more than 5,000 were ecstatic upon benefiting from a free medical and dental mission carried out by United States servicemen who arrived in the country last Friday aboard a US Navy ship, ABS-CBN Regional Network Group reported.
Residents of Barangay Baretto, the village chosen for the US humanitarian mission, lined up for free medical and dental consultations provided by US military doctors.
Some of the patients, diagnosed with cysts, were given free removal operations. Free medicines were also provided.
Free tooth-extraction operations were also given to residents.
Residents expressed their gratitude and said that it didn’t matter to them if there are issues concerning US troops coming in to the country. They stressed that what’s important is that the American soldiers recognize their needs.
The US Navy ship, USS Juneau, docked at the Subic pier in Olongapo City on Friday for a three-day humanitarian mission.
The ship’s visit is part of "Project Friendship," a humanitarian program of the 7th Fleet of the US Navy. The program comprises community relations projects for and with schools, orphanages and villages.
Capt. John Alexander, a US military officer, said the ship's presence in the country is part of the US government project to conduct medical and dental missions and strengthen community relations with at least two villages in the city.
The crew of the US Navy ship and Marines from the 31st US Marine Expeditionary Unit will participate in community refurbishment programs that include painting and cleaning a local school, donating goods to charity organizations and hosting a basketball clinic with children.
The US servicemen will be donating goods from San Diego-based charity Project Handclasp and from families of American servicemen in Japan.
The ship is described on the Web site www.juneau.navy.mil as a Forward Deployed Amphibious Transport Dock with crew of 370 sailors and 40 Navy officers and can carry 400 US Marines with their full combat gear. The ship's home port is in Sasebo, Japan.
Alexander added that he has reminded US troops to take extra precautionary measures during their "rest and recreation period" around the town, mindful of the Subic rape case involving US marine Daniel Smith.
Other American servicemen and units are also in the country as participants in the Balikatan ‘07 RP-US joint military exercises.
Balikatan '07, which started February 19 and will end on March 4, involves "tabletop" drills and the conduct of humanitarian missions.
A tabletop drill is a military exercise held in a classroom setting, similar to the role-playing and strategy computer game that involves planning and mapping out military tactics and strategies - except they are drawn out on the table. On the agenda of the drills are simulated threats of terrorism and other forms of transnational crimes involving maritime security matters.
About 1,500 Filipino and US troops will carry out humanitarian activities in 13 Muslim communities across Mindanao, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi areas as part of this year’s joint military exercise. With a report from Philippine Star
Residents of Barangay Baretto, the village chosen for the US humanitarian mission, lined up for free medical and dental consultations provided by US military doctors.
Some of the patients, diagnosed with cysts, were given free removal operations. Free medicines were also provided.
Free tooth-extraction operations were also given to residents.
Residents expressed their gratitude and said that it didn’t matter to them if there are issues concerning US troops coming in to the country. They stressed that what’s important is that the American soldiers recognize their needs.
The US Navy ship, USS Juneau, docked at the Subic pier in Olongapo City on Friday for a three-day humanitarian mission.
The ship’s visit is part of "Project Friendship," a humanitarian program of the 7th Fleet of the US Navy. The program comprises community relations projects for and with schools, orphanages and villages.
Capt. John Alexander, a US military officer, said the ship's presence in the country is part of the US government project to conduct medical and dental missions and strengthen community relations with at least two villages in the city.
The crew of the US Navy ship and Marines from the 31st US Marine Expeditionary Unit will participate in community refurbishment programs that include painting and cleaning a local school, donating goods to charity organizations and hosting a basketball clinic with children.
The US servicemen will be donating goods from San Diego-based charity Project Handclasp and from families of American servicemen in Japan.
The ship is described on the Web site www.juneau.navy.mil as a Forward Deployed Amphibious Transport Dock with crew of 370 sailors and 40 Navy officers and can carry 400 US Marines with their full combat gear. The ship's home port is in Sasebo, Japan.
Alexander added that he has reminded US troops to take extra precautionary measures during their "rest and recreation period" around the town, mindful of the Subic rape case involving US marine Daniel Smith.
Other American servicemen and units are also in the country as participants in the Balikatan ‘07 RP-US joint military exercises.
Balikatan '07, which started February 19 and will end on March 4, involves "tabletop" drills and the conduct of humanitarian missions.
A tabletop drill is a military exercise held in a classroom setting, similar to the role-playing and strategy computer game that involves planning and mapping out military tactics and strategies - except they are drawn out on the table. On the agenda of the drills are simulated threats of terrorism and other forms of transnational crimes involving maritime security matters.
About 1,500 Filipino and US troops will carry out humanitarian activities in 13 Muslim communities across Mindanao, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi areas as part of this year’s joint military exercise. With a report from Philippine Star
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9:58 AM
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