Opening Ceremony – Solomon Islands

This is the hottest weather I have ever been in. It feels like you are walking through water and the sun is but a mile away. It's even hotter on the flight deck of the USS Mustin. We were on the deck to celebrate the opening of the medical, engineering, and veterinary clinics that would be held through the islands. Several high ranking officials from various armed forces were there. I had the distinct pleasure to meet Rear Admiral Robin M. Watters who is Chief of Staff for the U.S. Pacific Fleet. Also among us was a two star Australian Defense Force General, Solomon's Prime Minister, U.S. Ambassador, and members of the Solomon Parliament.

Riding in from the Byrd to the Mustin, we were met with stares from the islanders who packed the piers to watch our arrival. Looking back out into the bay, the Byrd struck an imposing figure among the smaller fishing vessels. Walking from the pier to board the Mustin I saw my first case of the long term effects of chewing betelnut, an anxiolytic and stimulant. The telltale sign of betelnut: rotten teeth stained a bright blood red. To say the least, that was an experience but probably less traumatizing to me than to the dentists with us. As a quick side note, the USS Mustin is a guided missile destroyer and is quite the impressive piece of machinery to have the opportunity to tour.

Tommorrow we leave for our first clinic via helicopter. We will stay 7 nights aboard an Australian LCH (Landing Craft – Heavy). Think of the ships in Saving Private Ryan with the front loading door. Expect to hear more about our experience upon our return to the Byrd August 14.