News: 15th MEU lends helping hand to Timor-Leste
Lance Cpl. Timothy Childers
Marines and sailors from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit visit a village in Timor-Leste during Exercise Crocodilo 2012 to provide medical and dental aid to Timor citizens, Oct. 11. During the exercise a total of 10 sites were visited in which corpsmen from the MEU gave health screenings and vaccinations, made surgery referrals to a local hospital, provided dental care to include tooth removal, gave optometry screenings, prescribed and provided eyeglasses and issued medication and vitamins for minor illnesses or injuries.
Timor-Leste - A Marine Expeditionary Unit is tasked to be America’s rapid-response force, protecting U.S. interest abroad and able to plan and conduct combat operations when the nation needs it most. Sometimes, however, servicemembers are able help other nations when they are in need.
Marines and sailors from the 15th MEU came ashore to Timor-Leste during Exercise Crocodilo 2012 to provide medical and dental aid to Timorese citizens, Oct. 11.
Exercise Crocodilo 2012 is the first exercise the MEU has conducted since the beginning of Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group and the MEU’s Western Pacific deployment. Throughout the exercise, forces will work alongside the Timor-Leste Defense Force (F-FDTL) in various events that include field exercises and community relations activities intended at strengthening the relationship between the US and Timor-Leste. One of the focuses of the exercise is providing humanitarian assistance.
During the exercise the Navy/Marine Corps team is scheduled to visit 10 different locations, where they will provide health screenings and vaccinations, make surgery referrals to local hospitals, provide dental care to include tooth removal, give optometry screenings, prescribe and provided eyeglasses and issue medication and vitamins for minor illnesses or injuries.
“We’re providing access to medical and dental care to remote population on Timo-Leste,” said Lt. Jonathan Fowler, medical planner, Combat Logistics Battalion 15, 15th MEU. “A good percentage of the patients we screened have not seen doctors in years and in some cases their whole lives. Us being here allows us to
