Photo courtesy: US Navy
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michael Russell | US Navy
.............................................................................................................................................................................................
While at Base Hospital Mutur, Sailors and Marines repaired broken bathroom sinks and toilets and examined the water purification system, according to Hull Technician 1st Class Taylor Edberg, a community relations volunteer.
"We ripped up every plumbing fixture in the space," said Edberg. "The sink, the toilet and all of the plumbing lines associated with it. To help the local people was a great experience."
Edberg also said the bathroom in the hospital waiting room had no working plumbing fixtures, but Pearl Harbor Sailors replaced these with new fixtures.
Pearl Harbor Sailors spent off duty hours with local Sri Lankan Navy personnel, sharing experiences and cultures. Sailors and Marines from both countries traded belt buckles to keep as souvenirs.
Lt. Andrew Haylor, the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit chaplain, organized the event and said the community relations project was a successful event for U.S. Navy Sailors and the Sri Lankan community.
"At the end of the day, I feel the mission was a great success," said Haylor. "I think what we did was very helpful. There was a lot of good engagement with the local community, as well as the Sri Lankan Navy."
Pearl Harbor is part of the Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group (PEL ARG). Other elements of the PEL ARG include Commander, Amphibious Squadron 3; USS Peleliu (LHA 5); USS Dubuque (LPD 8); Fleet Surgical Team 1; Tactical Air Control Squadron 11; Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 23, Detachment 5; Assault Craft Unit 1, Detachment F; Assault Craft Unit 5, Detachment B; and Beachmaster Unit 1, Detachment D.
The PEL ARG is transiting the 7th Fleet area of responsibility and reports to Commander, Amphibious Force 7th Fleet, Rear Adm. Richard Landolt, who is headquartered in Okinawa, Japan.
© www.navy.mil
