MCRD PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. -- Commander Robert Reuer, a family practitioner and flight surgeon currently assigned to the Branch Medical Clinic at Parris Island, has recently returned from a once in a lifetime experience.
From Oct. 30 to Dec. 3, 2002, Reuer was a member of an MIA Search Team deployed to Laos under the auspices of Joint Task Force-Full Accounting. (JTF-FA). The mission of JTF-FA is to achieve the fullest possible accounting of Americans still missing and unaccounted for as a result of the war in Southeast Asia. Four recovery teams and one investigative team conducted recovery excavations at four primary sites in two Laos provinces.
All four sites involved the loss of United States aircraft in Southern Laos.
The task force's operations are supported by personnel from the United States Army, Central Identification Laboratory in Hawaii (CILHI) and augmentees from all four military services and the Department of the Navy civilian employees. After joining up with other members of the team at Camp H. M. Smith, Hawaii, Reuer's journey took him to Guam and Thailand by chartered flight and into Laos by a C-130. Helicopters then transported the teams to their base camp and to the recovery sites.
"My primary mission as a doctor was to keep the American teams healthy," said Reuer. "My secondary mission was to deliver humanitarian medical treatment to the local citizens."
He was assisted by independent duty corpsmen and techs assigned to each of the teams.
All received training prior to their deployment on malaria, emergency dental conditions, and parasites and bugs indigenous to the area. All personnel also received information about the country of Laos: its history, culture, government, and customs and courtesies.
Reuer held "office hours" every other day assisted by a Laos official who also served as his interpreter. Medical supplies and equipment were limited, although the teams were able to bring such items as medications, bandages, and toothbrushes with them from Hawaii. Armed with only a stethoscope, Reuer treated over 600 patients during his tour.
"It was difficult working with the interpreters," said Reuer, "but I continued to ask questions until I was satisfied that I received adequate information."
He diagnosed and treated conditions ranging from headaches and backaches to fungal skin conditions and malaria. All patients also received a supply of vitamins.
Reuer stated that the teams discovered what appeared to be a tooth during one of the digs.
"It felt good; it's why we're here," said Reuer.
The specimen will be transported to CILHI, where it will undergo forensic examination. Since its establishment in 1992, JTF-FA's operations in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia have led to the repatriation of remains that may relate to as many as 500 unaccounted-for Americans. "It was a very positive experience," Reuer said. "It was a unique opportunity to get to see diseases that you've only read about and to experience a different culture. I'm grateful to my command for supporting my participation in this adventure."
More information about the JTF-FA's investigation and recovery efforts can be found at their web site, www.pacom.mil/jtffa.htm.