Andersen members return from USNS Mercy mission

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ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam (AFPN) --  Members from the 36th Medical Group, 36th Wing and the U.S. Navy Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 25 returned home Sept. 10 following a 72-day humanitarian and civic assistance deployment on the USNS Mercy.

While embarked on USNS Mercy, servicemembers 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 more than 60,000 patients, performed more than 1,000 surgeries, repaired nearly 250 pieces of biomedical equipment, conducted more than 300 preventative medicine surveys and inspections, and trained more than 6,000 people in topics such as basic life support, biomedical equipment 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 MDG. "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.

(Courtesy of 36th Wing Public Affairs)