NEW AMSTERDAM, Guyana – THE Continuing Promise 2010 (CP10) – Partnership of the Americas mission onboard USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) dropped anchor just off the coast of New Amsterdam, Guyana on Sunday, Oct. 17, 2010. CP10 is a Humanitarian Civic Assistance (HCA) mission that delivers medical, veterinary, and engineering support services in addition to Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEEs), community relations projects and delivers Project Handclasp donations.
“This mission is about the continued promise of partnership between the United States and host nations,” said CP10 Commodore Capt. Thomas Negus, USN. “It is about building and sustaining relationships in the interest of better cooperation and collaboration when disasters hit.”
The CP10 crew onboard the large deck, multipurpose amphibious ship will offer care and support at five medical sites – two main sites at Rosehall and Edinburg School and three, one-day remote sites – and three engineering sites over the course of the mission’s 10-day stay in Guyana.
Engineering sites are located at Berbice Regional Health Authority, Corentyne School and the Agricultural Packaging Facility.
Over 25 pallets of goods worth $93,500 will be delivered to Guyana through the Project Handclasp programme, to include donations from the Church of Latter Day Saints, Project Cure and the Rotarians.
CP10 brings approximately 200 medical personnel to Guyana, which include five surgeons, 32 military and civilian doctors, 23 nurses, 14 foreign national medical care providers, seven dentists and four veterinarians.
Civilian medical support is from Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) from organizations such as Project Hope and World Vets. Foreign national medical personnel support are from countries such as Germany, The Netherlands, and Colombia.
This is the fourth time U.S. military have conducted HCA missions in Guyana. In November 2008, USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) brought the Continuing Promise mission to the shores of Guyana.
In the spring of 2010, HSV Swift docked pier side in Georgetown, Guyana and conducted engineering and community relations projects, delivered Project Handclasp goods and conducted Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEEs).
In 2007, Continuing Promise began it’s partnership in Guyana. The HSV Swift’s visit marked the first time a U.S. Naval vessel, or vessel under contract to the U.S. Navy, had moored in the country.
Contact: barkerja@lhd7.navy.mil