Thai, U.S. Navy Medical, Dental Personnel Bring Care to Remote Thai Province

[Navy for Moms Admin]

040512-M-4688C-044 Chanthaburi Province, Thailand (May 12, 2004) - Navy Surgeon, Lt. David A. Weis, of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), examines a Thai patient. Sailors of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Special Operations Capable conducted a Civil-Military Operation at the Ban Khok Wat Elementary School to assist the rural populace with medical and dental health aide, during Exercise Cobra Gold '04. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. J.D. Cress (RELEASED)



Thai, U.S. Navy Medical, Dental Personnel Bring Care to Remote Thai Province
Story Number: NNS080724-09
Release Date: 7/24/2008 5:01:00 PM

By Cmdr. Daryl Borgquist, Commander Task Force 73 Public Affairs

CHANTHABURI PROVINCE, Thailand (NNS) -- Medical and dental personnel from USS Tortuga (LSD 46) and Royal Thai Navy counterparts held a community medical clinic in rural Chanthaburi June 11.

"This is good training for the U.S. and Thais to work together," said Lt. Kyle Gernhofer, Tortuga's dental officer. "We were honored to participate."

The participants traveled several hours by car to the remote northern province to provide the assistance at two schools as part of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2008.

Many of the students of the school attended the clinic as did many others in the community. While routine medical care is available to residents of the province, it is several hours away by bus. As a result, many of them put off seeing the doctor or dentist.

While the routine screening resulted in many diagnoses of high blood pressure among the adult patients, medical personnel treated most of the locals for rashes, colds and minor injuries.

Gernhofer also explained the exercise helped prepare the two nations to work together in the future on humanitarian, disaster and recovery operations.

The health care providers treated a diverse patient population, including a Buddhist monk in need of a tooth extraction.

Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Justin Barwick, stationed aboard Tortuga, participated in all of the community medical and dental projects in Thailand. He said the Chanthaburi clinic was just as gratifying as the previous exercises.

"It was a genuinely rewarding experience," Barwick said.

During CARAT exercises, Sailors and Marines routinely conduct community medical and dental clinics, civic action projects and community relations projects with the help of host nation counterparts.

CARAT is an annual series of bilateral maritime training exercises between the United States and several Southeast Asian nations designed to build relationships and enhance operational readiness.

For more news from Commander Task Force 73, visit www.navy.mil/local/clwp/.


This was found on: news.navy.mil/

[diane {Shawns mom}]

You now my son's ship partcipates in the CARAT exercises and has been awarded for their service.
USS Rodney M DAvis
So this is GREAT and yes Catherine...I SCREAMED GREAT>>>...

[Lucia-Tara's proud Mom]

This is awesome what the Navy is involved in. Lucia