Russians coming to Venezuela? We don’t know anything about that, the USS Kearsarge is just here to help.

The amphibious class vessel, which according to its official website, has the principal mission, the embarkation, deployment, landing and support of a Marine landing force anywhere in the world. The vessel, which is currently anchored off T&T shores in the Gulf of Paria, has served the US in conflict before. In 1995, the vessel served as the primary platform for the rescue of Air Force Captain Scott O’Grady after he was shot down over Bosnia.

However, as a part of the Continuing Promise mission, the ship has come to Trinidad providing health care free of charge to citizens.

’We have turned an amphibious assault vessel into an amphibious aid vessel,’ said Captain Fernandez ’Frank’ Ponds, commander of Amphibious Squadron, during a press conference on board the Kearsarge yesterday. He denied that the ship’s visit to T&T had anything to do with Venezuela’s recent arrangements with the Russians.

’Who are coming? Well I didn’t even know about that,’ said Ponds.

Despite the vessel’s capabilities for war, it’s medical capacity only trails US medical ships USNS Comfort and USNS Mercy in medical accommodation as it can hold up to 600 patients while still tending to crew and embarked troops.

At least 19 people have received treatment for free aboard the ship for ailments varying from cataracts to hernias.

On board the USS Kearsarge, 84-year old Daniel Hart underwent an operation for a cataract after an entire year of waiting. And he is no more happier than the next man.

’The service here, it is wonderful,’ said Hart.

Shirley Cayton Taylor was grateful that the Health Ministry arranged for her husband, Dexter Taylor, to undergo a hernia operation aboard the vessel this weekend. She lauded the work ethic of the Americans.

’The American people always do things to the best of their ability,’ said Taylor, who is expected to leave the ship along with her husband tomorrow.

As a part of the project, the US naval vessel has previously provided assistance to other countries in the Caribbean including hurricane-ravaged Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Other countries visited by the US ship included Nicaragua and Colombia.

The ship is expected to head to Guyana after leaving Trinidad waters before returning to base at Norfolk, Virginia. See Page 5