USS Essex Departs Cambodia

The United States Navy reports that the amphibious assault ship USS Essex has departed Sihanoukville, Cambodia, after a friendly port visit in which sailors and marines were able to help the local community.

They set up clinics, provided medical and dental care to thousands of locals, painted schools and interacted with school children, distributed medications and prescription drugs, gave medical care to the elderly, distributed mosquito nets, helped to rebuild two bridges in coordination with Canadian Armed Forces, donated the supplies to make this happen, cleaned schools and donated supplies to them, as well as to orphanages, and distributed Christmas gifts.

The visit created goodwill between the people of the US and the Kingdom of Cambodia, with the 2,500 Sailors and Marines spreading out to accomplish the above tasks and to make friends. They visited Kampong Cham, and an isolated village called Kulen.

There were diplomatic events on ship and ashore, and the US military and the Cambodian military had exchanges.

The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit took part in the activities, too.

The USN is famous for its innovation, so it was no surprise when it converted an old school house into a clinic in which doctors examined and treated hundreds of people from the surrounding area. The visit may have caused some trepidation for the local populace, because doctors extracted a number of teeth.

Eye surgeries were performed at a converted Buddhist temple. Because many Cambodian citizens cannot afford good health care, the temporary clinics drew large crowds.

The Essex is only the second US Navy ship to visit Cambodia in the last 30 years.

US doctors didn't work alone, but coordinated their efforts with local Cambodian doctors.

The Essex is an amphibious assault ship. That means that although it looks like a typical WWII style aircraft carrier, it actual deploys helicopters and houses Marines. The ship is forward deployed, meaning it constantly patrols and is ready at the drop of a hat to engage enemies, or, as in this case, perform friendly tasks like disaster relief or friendship building. The Essex has been deployed in many regions, including Somalia.

It carries over 2000 Marines, and can deploy them by air or amphibious vehicles. It has large medical facilities, like six operating rooms and beds for 600 wounded or sick. It is usually deployed with another aircraft carrier to provide air cover, but it can also use its own Harrier jets. The ship itself can travel about 11,000 miles without a refueling.

It is truly a self sustaining ship, but its secondary role as a hospital ship also makes it ideal for humanitarian deployments.

USS Essex Ends Visit, USN