Operation Continuing Promise 2008 - 3
Guatemala
LAS PAMPAS, Guatemala (May 15, 2008) Aviation Boatswain Mate (Handling) Airman Amy Saavedra explains how to take medicine to a young boy at the Escuela Las Pampas medical assistance site. Boxer is deployed supporting the Pacific phase of Continuing Promise 2008, an equal partnership mission between the United States, Guatemala, El Salvador and Peru. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Matthew Jackson
LAS PAMPAS, Guatemala (May 15, 2008) Lt. Cmdr. Nathan Uebelhoer, embarked aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4), checks a patient’s heartbeat at the Escuela Las Pampas. Boxer is deployed supporting the Pacific phase of Continuing Promise 2008, an equal partnership mission between the United States, Guatemala, El Salvador and Peru. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Matthew Jackson
Guatemalan military leaders ceremoniously welcomed USS Boxer (LHD 4) to Puerto de San Juan on May 7 to mark the official beginning of operations in Guatemala as part of Continuing Promise (CP) 2008.
CP is a collaborative effort between U.S. military services to work with non-government organizations and host nations to build strong partnerships which can be called upon in the event of a regional situation that requires cooperative solutions.
After exchanging greetings at the Guatemalan navy base with their hosts, the Mission Commander for CP, Capt. Peter Dallman, Boxer’s Commanding Officer, Capt. Matthew McCloskey and Medical Contingent Commander, Capt. (Dr.) Louis Orosz, were invited to join the Commanding Officer of Guatemala Pacific Naval Base, Capt. Rafel Alfonso Reneau Franco, for a pass-in-review of Guatemalan military personnel.
“For the majority of people, the sea is an obstacle, but for us, the seamen, the sea is a connection which allows us to communicate,” said Franco. “In the name of the Commander of the National Navy, Capt. Fernando Campo Sanchez, we give our most courteous welcome to you.”
Dallman and McCloskey were also asked to sign the base’s golden logbook, an honor reserved for special guests of the base commander.
“We’re very happy and honored to be in your country,” said Dallman. “We’ve traveled to Guatemala from San Diego to work side-by-side with your medical, engineering, veterinary and dental professionals. We are eager to learn from you, and I hope you can learn something from us.”
Boxer’s mission exemplifies the U.S. maritime strategy which emphasizes deploying forces to build confidence and trust among nations through collective maritime security efforts that focus on common threats and mutual interests.
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) Jon Rasmussen, USS Boxer Public Affairs
SAN FRANSISCO, Guatemala (May 13, 2008) Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Vanessa Feliscian, embarked aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4), paints the interior walls of San Fransisco De Assisi’s Church in Guatemala during Continuing Promise (CP) 2008. Boxer is deployed supporting the Pacific phase of Continuing Promise 2008, an equal partnership mission between the United States, Guatemala, El Salvador and Peru. U.S. Army photo by Specialist Brian R. Williams
ESCUELA LAS PAMPAS, Guatemala (May 15, 2008) U.S. Coast Guard Hospital Specialist 3rd Class Jason La Benne, embarked aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4), vaccinates a patient at the Escuela Las Pampas. Boxer is deployed supporting the Pacific phase of Continuing Promise 2008, an equal partnership mission between the United States, Guatemala, El Salvador and Peru. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Matthew Jackson
The Reserve Special Purpose Marine Corps Air-Ground Task Force 24, embarked aboard USS Boxer (LHD 4), is providing various levels of support for the equal partnership mission Continuing Promise 2008.
CP is a collaborative effort between U.S. military services to work with non-governmental organizations and partner-nation support organizations so that strong partnerships are in place and can be called upon in the event of a regional situation that requires cooperative solutions.
SPMAGTF 24 is primarily embarked aboard Boxer for transportation to Peru for exercises as part of Partnership of the Americas 2008. POA is a United States Southern Command sponsored annual maritime engagement operation to enhance multinational cooperation and strengthen partnership among navies and allied nations throughout the Americas. Partner nation engagements include a series of Theater Security Cooperation events such as joint training exercises, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief and maritime security operations.
During the transit, SPMAGTF 24’s support to the CP mission includes the use of its Spanish speaking Marines as translators, four Medium Tactical Vehicles Replacement and four CH-46E helicopters to transport personnel, supplies and equipment to worksites.
“This is a great team effort for Marines, Navy, Army, Air Force, Coast Guard and the nations we are working with,” said Marine Lt. Col. John Klink, executive officer of SPMAGTF 24. “It would be great to see us continue to help and build relationships between nations for the future.”
The CH-46E Sea Knight flown by Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 764 has given Boxer more resources to transport supplies ashore, HMM-764 has flown more than 24 sorties, 49 hours and 465 passengers, within the Guatemalan phase of CP. Additionally, the CP mission gave HMM-764 their first opportunity to launch from and land on a Navy ship.
“This is an historic first for this squadron,” said Maj. Francis Gala, assistant operations officer for HMM-764. “We now have had a chance to work at sea and learn how to fly on a ship.”
The MTVR, also known as the “seven-ton truck”, has a 12-ton payload on-road and a 7-ton payload off-road for transporting large amounts of equipment.
MTVRs have transported cargo and troops daily to and from the Seabees work-sites at the Church of San Francisco, Aldea Linares, a culvert reconstruction site and Aldea El Higueral. They have made ship-to-shore movements via Landing Craft Utility, from the beach to the Guatemalan paratrooper base and work sites. These movements have been conducted daily since the beginning of the mission and will continue until completion.
By Petty Officer 3rd Class Porter Anderson, Marine Forces Reserve
Table of contents for Continuing Promise '08
- Operation Continuing Promise 2008 - 1
- Operation Continuing Promise 2008 - 2
- Operation Continuing Promise 2008 - 3
- Operation Continuing Promise 2008 - 4
- Boxer Arrives in Peru
- USS Boxer in Peru
- Operation Continuing Promise 2008 - 5
- USS Kearsarge Reports on Continuing Promise 2008
- Navy Knowhow Nudges Nun to Net
- Our Best: Reading to the Children
- Paint Is Progress
- A Picture Is Worth 1,000 Words
- Our Best: HOPE in Guyana
Subscribe
Comments