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U.S. Army Special Forces medic signs his autograph for smiling local children at a MEDCAP.

Philippines Lt. Gen. Roy Cimatu, then Commanding General of Southern Command, meets with (L to R) Brig. Gen. Donny Wurster, USAF, Commander of JTF 510; Col. Bill Ball, USA, Deputy Commander of JTF 510; and Col. David Fridovich, USA, Commander of the 1st Special Forces Group (A).

Knights Bridge International contributed to the operation by donating $780,000 worth of medical supplies to five hospitals and clinics on Basilan and in Zamboanga City.

Mission Accomplished

Providing care to the local inhabitants of Basilan and Zamboanga City was a once in a lifetime experience for the Philippine and American members of the MEDCAP teams, who eased the suffering of many.

The U.S. Special Operations soldiers treated a variety of rare illnesses, some of which do not exist in the United States. This huge MEDCAP effort provided valuable training and experience for the U.S. military medical professionals who treated local villagers.

A very important benefit of the MEDCAPs was to reconnect the people in the terrorist-threatened region to their government and the AFP by demonstrating care for their health and well being and strong commitment to their security.