Sailors Reflect on Historic Mission of Mercy

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) returned June 8 from her first deployment in 14 years.

Following the devastating tsunami that struck Southeast Asia Dec. 26, Mercy was given less than five days to deploy from her layberth in San Diego. Mercy sailed for Banda Aceh, Sumatra, Indonesia, Jan. 5, one of the region’s most devastated areas following the tsunami.

“When I saw the news and realized the extent of the tsunami’s devastation, I thought Mercy could really help these people, and sure enough, we were told to get ready because Mercy was deploying to help,” said Interior Communications Electrician 1st Class (SW) Julio Salazar. “Although it was hard to leave my family, they knew I’d be doing an important job by helping to ease the suffering of the people of Southeast Asia. That made it a little bit easier on all of us.”

For this mission, Mercy did something no other Navy crew had done before - integrate with members of the non-governmental organization Project HOPE (Health care Opportunities for People Everywhere).

Mercy’s Sailors reflected on their unique, once-in-a-lifetime experience.

“This deployment as a whole was a life learning experience. The opportunity to deploy in a joint operation with a non-governmental organization is not something our Sailors have the opportunity to do every day,” said Chief Hospital Corpsman (SW/FMF) Patrick Nardulli. “I believe we learned as much from them as they learned from us.”

From Feb. 6 to March 16, the ship’s combined U.S. Navy and Project HOPE medical staff treated more than 9,500 patients and performed 19,512 medical procedures. Sailors and Project HOPE volunteers forged lasting professional relationships while they worked together caring for the sick and injured.

“The deployment proved that no matter how different two organizations are, when you bring intelligent professionals together for one common mission, those members can only grow and learn from one another,” said Nardulli.

Following Mercy’s completion of her mission in Banda Aceh, the ship sailed east to return to San Diego, stopping along the way in Alor, Indonesia, and Dili, East Timor, to conduct Medical and Dental Civic Action Programs. Mercy’s medical teams treated more than 8,000 patients in six days.

However, tragedy struck Indonesia once again March 28 when an 8.7 magnitude earthquake hit Nias, an island located off the northwestern coast of Sumatra. In less than 72 hours, Mercy turned around and sailed back to Indonesia to bring emergency care to local residents.

“It was hard when I learned that we were turning around, but I knew after what we did for the people of Banda Aceh, we could really be of service to the people of Nias too,” said Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Melissa Gregg.

Mercy spent nearly a month off the coast of Nias, performing 123 surgeries and more than 19,000 medical procedures.

“It was such a good feeling to be able to help both the people of Banda Aceh and the people of Nias. They lost so much in the disasters - their loved ones, homes, schools and places of worship,” said Gregg. “They were all so grateful for everything we did for them. I’ve never seen anything like it and probably never will again.”

After departing Nias Island, Mercy stopped in Papua New Guinea to provide aid to Manam islanders who had been forced to flee their homes after a major volcanic eruption. In addition to performing 36 surgeries and giving more than 10,000 immunizations, Mercy’s medical team trained local health care providers at Modilon General Hospital in Madang. According to residents, Mercy’s arrival was the first time in years that an American ship had visited Papua New Guinea.

Mercy’s homecoming on June 8 marked the end of a truly exceptional mission. In six months, Mercy traveled 36,000 nautical miles, treated more than 100,000 patients and performed nearly 500 surgeries.

“I think if there is one thing that our young Sailors can take away from this,” said Nardulli, “it is that they helped make naval history and set the standard for future operations.”

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