Today was a good day. We arrived in the Republic of the Marshall Islands and headed to the island of Kwajalein where an Army base is located. We didn't get hung up with passport or sovereignty issues and were allowed to take liberty on the island. I had Subway (it was a close call between that and Burger King) and the establishment across the way happened to have 50 cent Guiness Stout Bottles. The Pacific Fleet Band was there jamming out with some Michael Jackson and Jazz. The breeze off the ocean was the icing on the cake. Today was a good day, and it was much needed after the last two islands.
Kwajalein is a strategic military holding as it is home to a ballistic missile weapons intercept program, space operations support, and is one of five sites in the world with radar stations used to operate the GPS systems worldwide. The Republic of Marshall Islands is also the former home of nuclear tests conducted by the US, the most recognized atoll being Bikini Atoll. It is important to know that all the Marshallese located on Kwajalein were moved off this island to another, Ebeye. Refugees of the nuclear tests were also moved to Ebeye. One of our mission sites is located here and the population is estimated to be 12,000 living on a 0.5 mile patch of land. I've heard one of the commanders refer to it as a "little Tijuana."
Dr. Marks and I will not be participating in Ebeye MEDCAP but will travel on to Majuro in 3 days. In between, we are being flown out to two separate atolls for outreaches. Ailinglaplap and Jabwot await us with open arms, hopefully.
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