Not directly part of the series but news, none the less.

USS Boxer along with various embarked units and non-governmental organizations arrived in Callao, June 7, to allow the crew the opportunity to experience Peruvian culture during Continuing Promise 2008.

CP is a collaborative effort between the United States and partner militaries, NGOs and partner-nation support organizations to build strong partnerships that can be called upon in the event of a regional situation requiring cooperative solutions.

Boxer is in Peru for humanitarian civic assistance operations inland, but the free time ashore is the first and only for the crew since deploying April 28.

“I’m looking forward to trying some authentic Peruvian cuisine,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Mario Story, a Sailor from the Pre-Commissioning Unit Makin Island, embarked aboard Boxer. “I hear the food is really good.”

“Everyone aboard Boxer has given their all to this humanitarian mission,” said Mission Commander for CP, Capt. Peter K. Dallman. “This is a well-deserved break for everyone, and what better way to kick off our equal-partnership mission in Peru, than letting the crew get off the ship, see some sights and meet the citizens here.”

Continuing Promise 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.

DVIDS
By Petty Officer 1st Class Michael E. Miller Jr.
USS Boxer Public Affairs

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

The Boxer ops for Continuing Promise ’08 include having a number of Navy partners’ personnel aboard. There are also military personnel that are not normally a part of the Boxer’s crew, such as Seabees, members of the Uniformed Public Health Service and volunteers from other military branches.

Project Hope is providing a number of medical professionals for both the Boxer’s ops and those of the Kearsarge, which will be the HQ for the Atlantic side of Operation Continuing Promise ’08.

Project HOPE will set the health care/ health education standard and lead the way for NGOs participating in the partnership. We will provide health care and health education in six countries in 2008 – Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Panama, the Dominican Republic, and Guyana, helping to strengthen current country programs or initiate new, sustainable health programs in these countries.

HOPE volunteers will be ship-based, with the U.S. Navy providing all support services, to include lodging, meals, communications, and transportation. Surgeries will also take place on board, utilizing the ship’s world-class operating rooms. The primary care and health education teams will perform work ashore and return to the ship daily.

ACAJUTLA, El Salvador (May 26, 2008) Project HOPE member Julie Whitis, embarked aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4), gives a Salvadoran boy a fluoride treatment at the Canton la Sunza school during a Continuing Promise (CP) 2008 community relations project. Boxer is deployed supporting the Pacific phase of CP, an equal-partnership mission between the United States, Guatemala, El Salvador and Peru. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Porter Anderson

The Uniformed Public Health Service is providing personnel. This agency has a proud history, and recalls the successes by uniformed personnel in the early 1900′s in eradicating malaria and yellow fever in places such as Cuba and Panama.

The U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps is an elite team of more than 6,000 well-trained, highly qualified public health professionals dedicated to delivering the Nation’s public health promotion and disease prevention programs and advancing public health science. Driven by a passion for public service, these men and women serve on the frontlines in the Nation’s fight against disease and poor health conditions.

As one of America’s seven uniformed services, the Commissioned Corps fills essential public health leadership and service roles within the Nation’s Federal Government agencies and programs.

SONSONATE, El Salvador (May 19, 2008) U.S. Public Health Service’s Lt. Elizabeth Leavitt, embarked aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4), takes a break to spend some time with Salvadoran children during continuing Promise (CP) 2008. Boxer is deployed in support of the Pacific phase of CP, an equal partnership mission between the United States, Guatemala, El Salvador and Peru. U.S. Army photo by Specialist Brian R. Williams

The posts on Wednesday and Thursday will focus on the activities in Guatemala and El Salvador and the personnel on the ground in both nations. Friday’s article will discuss the Boxer and its unique suitability for these types of missions. It will also look at the Kearsarge and the Atlantic side of Operation Continuing Promise ’08.

It wasn’t so long ago that the appearance of a United States Naval vessel off the coast of a Central or South American nation meant only one thing. The Marines were landing, either to prop up an existing government or to replace it. The history of United States interventions in the affairs of other nations in our hemisphere goes back to nearly the founding of our country. You cannnot blame the citizens of Latin American nations if they have a suspicious view of the United States and the United States Navy.

In a five part series this week, ANSJ will look at one step that the Navy is taking to change that perspective, Operation Continuing Promise 2008, and in particular the activities of the men and women aboard the U.S.S. Boxer this Spring. A group of hard working Americans is making a difference one roof, one paintbrush at a time.

The U.S.S. Boxer sailed from San Diego at the beginning of May. It has visited Guatemala and El Salvador, and is scheduled to proceed to Peru later in the Summer. Operation Continuing Promise 2008 is a partnership between the military – all four services, the uniformed Public Health Service, and Project Hope, a private NGO. The embarked personnel have been working with host nation civil and military authorities, local and regional NGO’s and the local population. The mission is to improve healthcare, provide health information and training and to provide other assistance wherever possible.

Commodore Peter K. Dallman:

“The variety of training and capabilities Continuing Promise will take into the region clearly demonstrates our nation’s commitment to fostering cooperative partnerships,” said Dallman. “This is a diverse mission that demands a diverse ship and crew. The same flexibility that makes Boxer an effective warship also makes it an extraordinarily effective platform for performing humanitarian assistance missions.”

U.S. Southern Command:

Embarked units and organizations aboard Boxer for CP include Amphibious Squadron 5, Fleet Surgical Team 5, U.S. Public Health Service, Project HOPE, Project Handclasp, Navy Seabee Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit 303, Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 14, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 764, Tactical Air Control Squadron 11, Special Marine Air Ground Task Force 24, Helicopter Sea Combat Support Squadron 23, Assault Craft Unit 1, Fleet Survey Team, Beach Master Unit 1 and Maritime Civil Affairs Team 205

SONSONATE, El Salvador (May 19, 2008) U.S. Public Health Service’s Lt. Elizabeth Leavitt, embarked aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4), takes a break to spend some time with Salvadoran children during continuing Promise (CP) 2008. Boxer is deployed in support of the Pacific phase of CP, an equal partnership mission between the United States, Guatemala, El Salvador and Peru. U.S. Army photo by Specialist Brian R. Williams