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The Continuing Promise deployments to Latin America and the Caribbean were modeled in part on the 2007 mission of USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) (see more) to the region. The Continuing Promise visits to each country were longer than the Comfort mission (about two weeks each), increasing the effectiveness of the humanitarian services provided. The mission aimed to foster goodwill and demonstrate U.S. commitment and support to Latin America and the Caribbean.
A key aspect of the mission is the partnership of military personnel with other government agencies and non-governmental organizations, like Project Hope and Operation Smile. Such diversity of humanitarian expertise enhances mission effectiveness. It also lays the foundation for relationships that could pay dividends in the event the U.S. responds to a potential humanitarian crisis in the region.
COMPLETED: Atlantic Phase (August - November), USS Kearsarge
Kearsarge conducted missions in five nations: Nicaragua, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago, and Guyana. (Note: From Sept. 7 - 26, USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) was diverted from Continuing Promise operations to support international relief operations in Haiti. Scheduled operations in Panama during that time were canceled... see more)
Embarked on the ship was a team of more than 150 military and Public Health Service medical professionals who worked with partner nation medical teams and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) – like Project Hope and Operation Smile – in treatment, training and infrastructure support across the host countries. Forces from Brazil, Canada, France, Netherlands, and Spain are also embarked for the mission.
The medical team provided:
» treated 47,000 patients
» conducted 221 surgeries
» dispensed 81,300 prescriptions
» conducted 198,600 medical, dental and optometric services
» provided veterinary care to 5,600 animals
About 60 military engineering and construction troops also supported the mission by providing robust construction capabilities, civic action repairs and minor construction projects at each stop. The troops provided:
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» built three schools
» completed 10 renovation projects on schools, clinics and hospitals
» renovated 10 parks/community centers
» performed five infrastructure projects
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COMPLETED: Pacific Phase (April - June), USS Boxer
Boxer conducted missions in three nations: El Salvador, Guatemala, and Peru.
The ship`s medical/dental team of more than 150 military medical professionals and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), worked with parnter nation officials to:
» treat 24,000 patients.
» complete 127 surgeries.
» dispense 40,000 medications.
» see nearly 4,000 optometry patients, distributing about 3,500 pairs of eyeglasses.
» complete 14,000 dental procedures.
» 66 repairs to biomedical equipment in the various clinics and hospitals.
» provide veterinarian treatments to about 2,900 animals.
» provide valuable training, such as CPR, nutrition, basic sanitation techniques, and first aid to 18,000 students in 123 classes.
Also, a team of 60 Seabees from the Navy’s Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit (CBMU) 303 provided robust construction capabilities, civic action repairs and minor construction projects, including renovating eight schools, renovating a church, and providing road and drainage repair.
Overview of Humanitarian Services provided:
Once in port, the ships’ humanitarian crews provide:
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Health Care Services |
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Direct medical care:
» General and specialty surgical care
» Primary and consultative care for children and adults
» OB/GYN consultative care
» Dental care
» Ophthalmologic services
» Optometric services
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Public Health initiatives
» Immunizations
» De-worming
» Food and water systems assessments
» Structural assessments
» Assistance in establishing public health systems
» Epidemiologic/Public Health consultation
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Infrastructure support
» Basic biomedical repair
» Engineering assessments
» Water/sewer system assessments
» Structural assessments
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Veterinary services:
» Large animal focus – livestock/food chain
» Care and immunizations
» Working animals |
Medical/nursing education:
» Mutual education
» Mid-wife training
» Basic nursing skill training
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Engineering Services |
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» Building repairs and improvements (like clinic or school renovation projects)
» New construction (small projects)
» Utility system repairs and construction/technical assistance (like installing water pumps or repairing generators)
» Pier, road, and bridge repair or construction
» Drainage projects
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About the ships:
Wasp-class amphibious assault ships like Boxer and Kearsarge are designed with a variety of expeditionary mission capabilities, including rapid, projected humanitarian assistance worldwide. They also have the physical capacity to transport large amounts of medical and engineering supplies and equipment to most locations around the globe.
In 2005, USS Bataan (LHD 5) and USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) took part in the massive Navy support to Hurricane Katrina relief operations in the Gulf Coast. Last year, USS Peleliu (LHA 5) deployed to the Western Pacific, bringing humanitarian services to five nations. Also in 2007, Kearsarge supported humanitarian relief efforts in Bangladesh following Tropical Cyclone Sidr.
Each ship’s medical facilities have:
» Six operating rooms
» 13 ICU beds
» 40 ward beds
» Three dental operative rooms
» Lab, x-ray and blood bank capability
Other notes:
The deployment has been coordinated with partner nations in the region and planned hand-in-hand with a variety of governmental and NGOs to creatively address the level and scope of care that will be needed to support regional medical needs. A key objective of this deployment is to address regional health service support requirements and promote clinical information sharing across the region. | 
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