I’ve been fortunate to attend several exciting social media adventures with the DoD throughout 2010, but this event has to rate highly.  An out-of-the-blue email invitation, a submission for a press pass, and I was approved to attend!

So even though Air Force One was scheduled for a late night arrival, hours-long waiting and several security checks weren’t a deterrent.  And it was over quickly.  After Air Force One taxied at Hickam, President Obama, Senator Akaka, and Representative Hirono deplaned and went their own ways.

See more arrival pictures.

But this social media-borne opportunity was not over. At the end of the First Family’s 12-day Hawaiian stay, I was invited to the departure of Air Force One. Along with other social media enthusiasts and traditional media, we watched as Bo, Sasha, Malia, Michelle, and Barack Obama boarded Air Force One for Washington DC.

What a way to end 2010 and welcome in 2011!

Thanks to the Air Force, PACAF, and PACOM for this unique opportunity and special thanks to Scott Morifuji for giving us newbies a clue.

Until they are home.

The mission of JPAC is to “achieve the fullest possible accounting of all Americans missing as a result of our nation’s past conflicts” and to date, this 400-personnel organization at Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam is working tirelessly to give closure to over 90,000 families who’ve lost loved ones in conflicts since WWII. JPAC has an amazing and noble goal, one that baffles my mind after taking a tour of their facilities and learning about their operation (as an overview, watch their command brief).

Recently, JPAC joined the social media movement of the DoD and hosted its inaugural tweetup. JPAC commander, Major General Stephen Tom, talked to our social media group about the determination of the JPAC organization to fulfill our Nation’s promise of bringing fallen comrades home.

JPAC’s Central Identification Laboratory (CIL) is the largest skeletal identification lab in the world where approximately 30 forensic anthropologists and dentists work on solving mysteries decades old. In teams of 10-14 specialists, the JPAC staff researches historical sites, launches a investigative team, then as warranted, deploys a full recovery team to collect remains and artifacts.

As part of the tweetup, I witnessed a repatriation ceremony where remains collected from Vietnam, Laos, and Vanuatu were honored then taken to the CIL lab for identification.

I can’t begin to explain the complex challenges JPAC faces in their mission. Their combat scene investigations cover the spans of time, geography, culture, science, and so much more. If you can, visit JPAC on one of their public tours and learn about its honorable mission.

Thanks to JPAC and Pacific Command for this amazing opportunity.

For more pictures from the JPAC tour and arrival ceremony, check out my Flickr set.

JPAC online at:

• JPAC Web site
• JPAC on Facebook
• JPAC on Twitter
• JPAC on YouTube
• JPAC on Flickr

More #ArrivalCeremony coverage:

• Dallas Nagata
• Ricky Li
• Mad Marv

Sight

The F-22 arrival ceremony was a stunningly visual collage backdropped by the decorated Hickam airfield, painted with streaks of the jets making their airborne introductions, adorned with a traditional Hawaiian hula, and accented by the many faces of family and friends.

Taste

There was no doubt of the palatable anticipation of the Raptors’ arrival, and when the jets roared through the blue sky, you had to savor moment.

Smell

The subtle scents of the morning cannot be forgotten. The day started with the distinct smell of fresh rain gently falling on our Aloha State. Then later, the acridity of jet fuel and exhaust permeated the air as the duo of F-22s approached the crowds.

Hearing

The sounds of the ceremony ranged from the Air Force band playing familiar classics to the Hawaiian chant of Robert Cazimero to the whine of supercruise-capable, turbofan engines…

… to the spoken accolades of the Raptors’ significance.

a force multiplier… exponential leap in force… envy of the world… unsurpassed capability throughout the Pacific… aim high everyday for freedom.

Touch(ed)

And lastly, the sense of touch and being touched. The ceremony allowed for close proximity to these $140-million planes and handshakes with distinguished visitors and government leaders. Emotionally touching was the patriotism and pride displayed by the Airmen in attendance.

And what a fitting touch paying homage to Hawaii with F-22 pilot and Commander of the Air Guard’s 199th Fighter Squadron, Lt Col Christopher Faurot, a graduate of local Damien Memorial School and F-22 crew chief, Staff Sgt Ben Nitta, a graduate from Mililani High School.

Thank you to PACAF, the U.S. Air Force, and Pacific Command for this experience.

More links:

• PACAF Blog
• Honolulu Star Advertiser
• Bytemarks
• Flickr Photos

Synergy

The day began with remarks given by Admiral Patrick Walsh, Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, and Vice Admiral Richard Hunt, Commander, Combined Task Force. Flanked by nation’s RIMPAC leaders, the pair outlined the goals of RIMPAC, its global significance, the positive impact on Hawaii, and the overall synergy of this international event.

Agility

Following the RIMPAC press conference was a tour of the JS ATAGO, a destroyer in the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF). Courteous and hospitable, the JMSDF Officers overviewed the ATAGO and its agile versatility to handle a variety of maritime situations and defend other JMSDF ships.  As a personal observation, this ship was clean, meticulously clean.  Each brass fitting on doors were polished and even the propeller on stowed vessels was gleaming.

Support

In all though, the ultimate outcome of RIMPAC is the teaming and support of all the participants.  Nations share a common bond and learn about other cultures which hopefully promotes global stability.

Agility, synergy, and support – that is RIMPAC 2010.

More pictures.

RIMPAC 2010:

• Twitter
• Facebook

This is my experience.

About the USNS Mercy

Globally, the US Navy has two hospital ships in its fleet. While the Atlantic is under the care of the USNS Comfort, the USNS Mercy embraces the Pacific region. In stark contrast to its grey-hulled Navy brethren, the USNS Mercy is visually distinct, coated white and prominently displaying the Red Cross to signify its medical mission.

Also, the heritage of the Mercy is one of a converted oil supertanker, not built in the Naval shipyards. Within the Naval fleet, only an aircraft carrier is physically bigger than the Mercy.

The Floating Hospital

The obvious way to describe the USNS Mercy is it’s like a hospital, a floating hospital. Walking the expanses of the ship was just like walking the halls of any major hospital – an emergency receiving area, radiology with a CT scanner, sterile operating rooms, intensive care units, physical therapy, a blood bank, an eye clinic, a pharmacy, and patient wards (with a capacity of 1000 beds) were all there.

However, getting on a floating hospital does require a special ambulance though.

Staggering Logistics

Once you understand that the Mercy is a moving hospital, guessing at the staggering logistics and special requirements follows. Traveling to Pacific countries such as Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Timor-Leste during Pacific Partnership 2010 (PP10), language issues are resolved by translators who are part of the crew or volunteers from Non-Governmental Agencies in host countries. Medical expertise comes from a variety of sources and is tailored for the mission at hand. Crew members are not assigned to the Mercy on a rotational basis, but from the 18 months of planning for PP10, medical skills are identified then assembled. Even veterinarians and biomedical equipment repair personnel will be participating. Supplies are continually taken on at every port stop and stored in any available free space.

The Teamwork of Roles

The successful operation of the Mercy lies in the teamwork of the crew as they each perform their vital roles. There are three primary roles on-board represented by the three leaders of the Mercy. From my understanding, Captain Lisa Franchetti heads the overall Pacific Partnership 2010 mission for the Mercy, Captain Jeffrey Paulson is chief medical officer, and Captain David Bradshaw is in charge of the operation of the Mercy.

The crew is composed of military personnel (about 1200) and civilians (about 66), and each member also has additional roles such as firefighters and to even defend the non-combatant ship if attacked.

Comforts

While the USNS Mercy is prepared to handle medical emergencies, familiar comforts are available. The primary dining hall provides meals around the clock, and yes, they serve Starbucks coffee.

To keep the crew physically fit, spaces are converted to make shift but well equipped gyms.

Takeaways

So what are my personal takeaways after touring the USNS Mercy? It simply goes like this:

Amazed, overwhelmed, awed, honored, and lastly, thankful…

More Pictures of the USNS Mercy

More Coverage of the USNS Mercy Tour

• Pacific Partnership Home
• Pacific Partnership Blog
• Pacific Partnership on Facebook
• Pacific Partnership on Twitter
• USNS Mercy – Pacific Partnership 2010 by Bytemarks
• Visiting One of the Largest Trauma Facilities in the United States… and it Floats! OH MERCY! by Damon Tucker
• USNS Mercy Tour pictures by Ricky Li
• Tour of the USNS Mercy at Pearl Harbor by Marc Orbito