US Navy medical personnel celebrate Father’s Day on Kandahar Airfield

Photo By Staff Sgt. Richard Andrade | Medical personnel assigned to Role 3, Multi-National Medical Center, a trauma treatment facility on Kandahar Airfield, participate in a blind-folded diaper changing relay race during a Father’s Day barbecue at KAF June 19.  

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, AFGHANISTAN

06.19.2011

Story by Sgt. Richard Andrade 

16th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – The smell of barbecue filled the air as fathers were given the royal treatment during a Father’s Day celebration for U.S. Navy personnel assigned to Role 3 Multi-National Medical Unit on Kandahar Airfield June 19.

More than 100 U.S. and coalition service members attended the Father’s Day party and enjoyed games, prizes and free cigars.

“We’re here in a trauma unit in a war zone. I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say they save lives every day of the week,” said U.S. Navy Capt. Michael D. McCarten, NATO Role 3, Multi-National Medical Unit commander. McCarten is a Cranston, R.I., native.

The Role 3 hospital on KAF treats the most severely wounded coalition and Afghan forces and civilians. He praised the efforts of his multi-national medical team and said the event was a way for everyone to “let their hair down” and reflect on their families back home.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Evsel Panlilio, a hospital corpsman assigned to Role 3, has been in Afghanistan for three and half months. He said this is the first time he has seen a celebration for Father’s Day while deployed. Panlilio, of San Diego, said his daughter was born during his last deployment to Afghanistan.

“[This] is awesome, this is perfect, especially when you are away from your family,” said the father of two.

First-time father, U.S. Navy Lt. Brenden Le, a pharmacist assigned to Role 3, whose baby was born during this deployment, said he was sad to have missed the birth, but he was grateful for the congratulations and well wishes he received from the other service members who are fathers.

He said his family back home realizes the sacrifice he is making and for Father’s Day, he wanted to express his appreciation to the men and women of all the services so all the hard work does not go unnoticed.

“I feel the mission is important and that’s why I am here,” said Le, a San Diego native.

The success of the mission relies in part on the individual sacrifices of service members like Panlilio and Le and the rest of the hospital personnel.

“It’s important for us to take a moment together to celebrate those things that are great about being from the United States, being part of the U.S. Navy, and being deployed to Afghanistan,” said McCarten. “I want to thank all the fathers affecting the mission, because they are contributing to a great success.”

• Date Taken: 06.19.2011
• Date Posted: 06.19.2011 14:43
• Story ID: 72376
• Location: KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, AF