During the month of October and some of November, Josh went on a 5 week deployment aboard the USS Essex and headed to the Philippines. The ship was at sea for 3 weeks and docked in the Philippines for 2 weeks. While on the ship he and another dentist treated the marines. Once the ship arrived in the Philippines he spent 2 weeks traveling to remote towns doing dentistry. While there he extracted over 300 teeth.
The USS Essex is the lead ship of the only Marine forward-deployed expeditionary strike group in the Pacific.
You can see the LCAC (landing craft air cushion) pulling into the well deck of the USS Essex. This is how Josh landed on the beach in the Philippines.
The USS Essex is a Harrier Carrier. Josh took this picture of the Harriers below deck.
This is where Josh and 5 other officers slept on the ship. It is hard to tell from the picture how tiny the room is. It was just big enough for 2 bunks, stacked 3 high, and a small desk.
Josh flew in a helicopter from the USS Essex to Harpers Ferry (another ship in the unit) just before arriving in the Philippines.
This is a view of the Essex from the helicopter.
The LCAC Josh rode on from the ship to the shore of the Philippines. The bottom of the LCAC inflates with air and can travel on water and land.
This is where Josh slept his first night in the Philippines, definitely not a 5 star hotel! Pieces of the ceiling fell on them all through the night.
A traditional Filipino feast (rice and chicken). Everyone stands around and eats with their hands.
Josh's group flew to 3 different sights to work. A view of the beautiful countryside from the helicopter.
This is where Josh slept his first night in the Philippines, definitely not a 5 star hotel! Pieces of the ceiling fell on them all through the night.
They would set up make-shift clinics at schools and locals from the surrounding towns would travel miles to get dental work done (mostly have bad teeth pulled).
Notice the assistant holding a flashlight.
The local kids loved the Marines.
A traditional Filipino feast (rice and chicken). Everyone stands around and eats with their hands.
Josh's group flew to 3 different sights to work. A view of the beautiful countryside from the helicopter.
The winner of the "Ugliest Dog in the World" contest.
This is the ship's Wardroom, where the officers eat, have meetings, and watch sports and movies. Smaller than the enlisted's cafeteria, it is one of the only rooms aboard larger that a bedroom.
2 comments:
What a great experience! That is really amazing. The water is so gorgeous, I am jealous every time I look at your blog.
Seeing that dog really brings back memories of Manila for me. I had never seen such horrible looking dogs. It made me appreciate how rich we are in this country that we can pay to take care of our pets. I also remember that one of my companions from the Philippines had a toothache so on our preparation day we went to the dentist and she had it pulled. I was shocked! That is just how they do it there. Great pictures.
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