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Marine Task Force Provides Critical Aid to Continuing Promise

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080516-23
Release Date: 5/16/2008 4:37:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW) Porter Anderson, USS Boxer Public Affairs

USS BOXER, At sea (NNS) -- The Reserve Special Purpose Marine Corps Air-Ground Task Force (SPMAGTF) 24, embarked aboard USS Boxer (LHD 4), is providing various levels of support for the equal partnership mission Continuing Promise (CP) 2008.

CP is a collaborative effort between U.S. military services, 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 (POA) 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 interpreters, four Medium Tactical Vehicles Replacement (MTVR) 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 (HMM) 764 has given Boxer more resources to transport supplies ashore. Within the Guatemalan phase of CP, HMM-764 has flown more than 24 sorties, 49 hours and 465 passengers.

"It is historic for the squadron to deploy aboard an LHD outside of the Continental U.S. and down to Central and South America," said Maj. Francis Gala, assistant operations officer for HMM-764. "It gives our junior Marines the opportunity to learn how to conduct flight operations aboard an LHD."

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 Seabee 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 and movements 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.

"Its part of our job to help out anyone who needs a hand," said Lance Cpl. Steven Yanez. "It doesn't matter if you are Navy, Marine, Air Force or Army. This is part of our responsibility and our duty to help anyone."

SPMAGTF 24 has operated side-by-side with the joint forces from Boxer and the partner-nation professionals of Guatemala. The task force plans on providing the same support in El Salvador, Boxer's last stop before sending SPMAGTF 24 ashore in Peru.

Boxer and SPMAGTF 24'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.

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 and Beach Master Unit 1.

For more news from USS Boxer, visit www.navy.mil/local/lhd4/.