thedrifter
02-19-07, 08:29 AM
Marine dies of heart attack during Balikatan
The Associated Press
Posted : Monday Feb 19, 2007 6:42:32 EST
MANILA, Philippines — A Marine has died of cardiac arrest during joint military exercises aimed at isolating al-Qaida-linked militants in the southern Philippines, U.S. military officials said Monday.
Cpl. Timothy Lewis, 20, collapsed shortly after arriving in a Philippine military camp on southern Jolo island last Thursday, and doctors failed to revive him, U.S. military spokesman Maj. John Redfield said.
Lewis had traveled continuously by plane and ship for 24 hours from his unit’s base in the southern Japan island of Okinawa to humid Jolo island. Medical personnel provided advanced cardiac life support to Lewis in a Jolo camp, where he was later pronounced dead, he said.
The joint exercises focused on completing humanitarian projects on Jolo, where a U.S.-backed offensive has targeted Abu Sayyaf Muslim extremists and two top Indonesian militants for months, Redfield said.
“I want to emphasize absolutely that this is not related to anything that could be perceived as combat,” Redfield told The Associated Press by telephone from southern Zamboanga city, near Jolo.
Lewis was part of a 400-strong U.S. military contingent involved in Feb. 18-March 4 annual exercises dubbed “Balikatan,” which means “shouldering the load together,” with Filipino troops.
U.S. and Philippine officials gathered Monday at Manila’s military headquarters to formally announce the start of the maneuvers.
In the past, the exercise focused on field combat exercises that involved up to 5,000 American military personnel. But this year, close to 400 U.S. troops will instead focus on road improvement, school repairs and medical missions.
A memorial service was held for Lewis in a military camp in Zamboanga Sunday and another one was scheduled Monday on Jolo, Redfield said. His death would not hamper the planned civic activities, Redfield said.
Maj. Gen. Stephen Tom, who heads the U.S. contingent, told a news conference an investigation was under way to determine the specific reason for Lewis’ cardiac arrest, “but it appears to be natural causes.”
Lewis’ body was flown out of the country Friday. He was from Kentucky, but his hometown was not immediately known, Redfield said.
Ellie
The Associated Press
Posted : Monday Feb 19, 2007 6:42:32 EST
MANILA, Philippines — A Marine has died of cardiac arrest during joint military exercises aimed at isolating al-Qaida-linked militants in the southern Philippines, U.S. military officials said Monday.
Cpl. Timothy Lewis, 20, collapsed shortly after arriving in a Philippine military camp on southern Jolo island last Thursday, and doctors failed to revive him, U.S. military spokesman Maj. John Redfield said.
Lewis had traveled continuously by plane and ship for 24 hours from his unit’s base in the southern Japan island of Okinawa to humid Jolo island. Medical personnel provided advanced cardiac life support to Lewis in a Jolo camp, where he was later pronounced dead, he said.
The joint exercises focused on completing humanitarian projects on Jolo, where a U.S.-backed offensive has targeted Abu Sayyaf Muslim extremists and two top Indonesian militants for months, Redfield said.
“I want to emphasize absolutely that this is not related to anything that could be perceived as combat,” Redfield told The Associated Press by telephone from southern Zamboanga city, near Jolo.
Lewis was part of a 400-strong U.S. military contingent involved in Feb. 18-March 4 annual exercises dubbed “Balikatan,” which means “shouldering the load together,” with Filipino troops.
U.S. and Philippine officials gathered Monday at Manila’s military headquarters to formally announce the start of the maneuvers.
In the past, the exercise focused on field combat exercises that involved up to 5,000 American military personnel. But this year, close to 400 U.S. troops will instead focus on road improvement, school repairs and medical missions.
A memorial service was held for Lewis in a military camp in Zamboanga Sunday and another one was scheduled Monday on Jolo, Redfield said. His death would not hamper the planned civic activities, Redfield said.
Maj. Gen. Stephen Tom, who heads the U.S. contingent, told a news conference an investigation was under way to determine the specific reason for Lewis’ cardiac arrest, “but it appears to be natural causes.”
Lewis’ body was flown out of the country Friday. He was from Kentucky, but his hometown was not immediately known, Redfield said.
Ellie