USNS Spearhead Set to Deploy, Continuing Promise 2017 Begins

By Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Hendricks U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command & U.S. Fourth Fleet

FILE PHOTO: USNS Spearhead (T-EPF 1) during UNITAS 2016 exercise last year in Panama. Spearhead, with embarked supporting detachments, is deploying to Guatemala, Honduras and Colombia for the Continuing Promise 2017 humanitarian mission. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jacob Sippel)

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FILE PHOTO: USNS Spearhead (T-EPF 1) during UNITAS 2016 exercise last year in Panama. Spearhead, with embarked supporting detachments, is deploying to Guatemala, Honduras and Colombia for the Continuing Promise 2017 humanitarian mission. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jacob Sippel)

170123-YL073-105 (Jan. 23, 2017) MAYPORT, Fla. - Sailors from various commands erect a Mobile Kitchen Trailer (MKT) during Continuing Promise 2017 (CP-17) pre-deployment training at Naval Station Mayport, Fla. Continuing Promise 2017 is a U.S. Southern Command-sponsored and U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet-conducted deployment to conduct civil-military operations including humanitarian assistance, training engagements, and medical, dental, and veterinary support in an effort to show U.S. support and commitment to Central and South America. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Shamira Purifoy)

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170123-YL073-105 (Jan. 23, 2017) MAYPORT, Fla. - Sailors from various commands erect a Mobile Kitchen Trailer (MKT) during Continuing Promise 2017 (CP-17) pre-deployment training at Naval Station Mayport, Fla. Continuing Promise 2017 is a U.S. Southern Command-sponsored and U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet-conducted deployment to conduct civil-military operations including humanitarian assistance, training engagements, and medical, dental, and veterinary support in an effort to show U.S. support and commitment to Central and South America. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Shamira Purifoy)

170123-WZ792-022 (Jan. 23, 2017) MAYPORT, Fla. - Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Joshua Nieto of Navy Entomology Center of Excellence (NECE) Jacksonville, Fla., applies the insect repellant Permethrin to uniforms at Naval Station Mayport, Fla. Treating uniforms is one of many preparations service members are taking before departing on Continuing Promise 2017 (CP-17). Continuing Promise 2017 is a U.S. Southern Command-sponsored and U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet-conducted deployment to conduct civil-military operations including humanitarian assistance, training engagements, and medical, dental, and veterinary support in an effort to show U.S. support and commitment to Central and South America. (U.S. Navy Combat Camera photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ridge Leoni)

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170123-WZ792-022 (Jan. 23, 2017) MAYPORT, Fla. - Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Joshua Nieto of Navy Entomology Center of Excellence (NECE) Jacksonville, Fla., applies the insect repellant Permethrin to uniforms at Naval Station Mayport, Fla. Treating uniforms is one of many preparations service members are taking before departing on Continuing Promise 2017 (CP-17). Continuing Promise 2017 is a U.S. Southern Command-sponsored and U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet-conducted deployment to conduct civil-military operations including humanitarian assistance, training engagements, and medical, dental, and veterinary support in an effort to show U.S. support and commitment to Central and South America. (U.S. Navy Combat Camera photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ridge Leoni)

170121-N-WZ792-007 (January 21, 2017) NAVAL STATION MAYPORT, Fla. - Medical personnel and Continuing Promise 2017 leadership take a group photo following pre-deployment training at Naval Station Mayport, Fla. Continuing Promise 2017 is a U.S. Southern Command-sponsored and U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet-conducted deployment to conduct civil-military operations including humanitarian assistance, training engagements, medical, dental, and veterinary support and disaster response to partner nations and show U.S. support and commitment to Central and South America. (U.S. Navy Combat Camera photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ridge Leoni)

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170121-N-WZ792-007 (January 21, 2017) NAVAL STATION MAYPORT, Fla. - Medical personnel and Continuing Promise 2017 leadership take a group photo following pre-deployment training at Naval Station Mayport, Fla. Continuing Promise 2017 is a U.S. Southern Command-sponsored and U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet-conducted deployment to conduct civil-military operations including humanitarian assistance, training engagements, medical, dental, and veterinary support and disaster response to partner nations and show U.S. support and commitment to Central and South America. (U.S. Navy Combat Camera photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ridge Leoni)

Jan. 23, 2017 —

Continuing Promise 2017 (CP-17) will begin early next week with the deployment of the Military Sealift Command-operated expeditionary fast transport vessel, USNS Spearhead (T-EPF 1), to the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility.

CP-17 is a USSOUTHCOM-sponsored, and U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet (USNAVSO/FOURTHFLT) conducted deployment, focused on civil-military operations including humanitarian-civil assistance activities comprised of medical, dental, and veterinary support, as well as disaster response training to show U.S. commitment to Central and South American partner nations.

USNS Spearhead, with embarked command element led by Commander, Destroyer Squadron 40 (CDS 40) and various supporting detachments, will visit Guatemala, Honduras and Colombia.

Spearhead is a unique, highly flexible platform that can provide expeditious movement of personnel and equipment ashore to conduct humanitarian civic assistance operations quickly and efficiently. This is the first year that Spearhead will be the deploying platform for Continuing Promise.

As part of CP-17, U.S. military personnel will work closely with their host nation counterparts and health professionals to respond to the day-to-day needs of the citizens and provide medical, dental and veterinary support at a medical site in each nation. An estimated 15,000 people will be provided a variety of medical services including preventative medical treatments, dental screenings and treatment, optometry screenings, eyewear distribution and women’s health services.

CP-17 is a demonstration of the strong U.S. commitment to partners in Central and South America, fostering goodwill and enhancing our collective ability to respond to natural disasters and humanitarian crises. CP-17 will conclude in April 2017.

USNAVSO/FOURTHFLT supports USSOUTHCOM's joint and combined military operations by employing maritime forces in cooperative maritime security operations to maintain access, enhance interoperability and build enduring partnerships in order to enhance regional security and promote peace, stability and prosperity in the Caribbean, Central, and South American regions.

For more information, visit www.public.navy.mil/comusnavso-c4f, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NAVSOUS4thflt, or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/navsous4thflt.