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USAF medical personnel conducted medical and dental clinics at six of the sites. The medical teams treated 1,024 patients. The lack of medical care in the rural sites was the reason some patients with easily treatable ailments progressed to a point where medical intervention was no longer possible. The dental teams experienced similar circumstances. Some patients had to have their teeth pulled because of the lack of sustained dental care. The dentists and dental technicians provided basic dental hygiene instruction to many patients during the visit to help prevent future dental problems. "Most of the people here have very basic needs that arise from a lack of clean water and hygiene practices," said Capt. Cynthia Weidman, USAF, a medical planner with the U.S. Support Group East Timor (USGET).
In Aidabaleten, two Marine units had the task of refurbishing several decaying buildings. They arrived by CH-46E Sea Knight and CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters to a small landing pad in an old cattle pasture. They carried tools, such as hammers, nails, paintbrushes, brooms, and ladders, to the work site after a short hike. The white concrete buildings sat against the backdrop of rolling hills on one side and the ocean not more than 200 yards (182 meters) on the other. "It was pretty sad when we showed up," said U.S. Marine Capt. Matthew Reid. "The buildings were run down. There was graffiti on the walls, holes through the walls, no windows or doors." Before some Marines even had time to set down their packs, the site supervisors were already going through the buildings making checklists of what needed to be done. They then divided the Marines into two or three teams, each responsible for a different building. Without hesitating, the Marines picked up paintbrushes, hammers, and nails. They knew their mission was to make someone’s life better through rebuilding a school. "We’re not trained for this type of thing, it’s not in an infantry Marine’s training scope," said Capt. Reid. "The Marines are here giving 100 percent and getting the mission accomplished with the materials we have." For hours they worked in the heat and near 100 percent humidity. By the end of the day, most were covered in as much paint as they were sweat. It was the first time some of them had done construction work.
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