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Boxer Ends Work in Guatemala, Extends Maritime Strategy to El Salvador

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080521-27
Release Date: 5/21/2008 5:23:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) Jon Rasmussen, USS Boxer Public Affairs

USS BOXER, Guatemala (NNS) -- United States Ambassador to Guatemala, James M. Derham, visited USS Boxer (LHD 4) May 16 to attend a reception hosted onboard for Guatemalan dignitaries and senior military officers to bring a close to Boxer's Continuing Promise (CP) 2008 operations in the country.

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

The reception and tour, which highlighted the ship's amphibious and medical capabilities, gave the local Guatemalan leaders an opportunity to see first-hand the abilities Boxer is using to fulfill America's commitment to the equal-partnership relief efforts of CP.

"I want to thank all the crew and the captain for the opportunity to come aboard Boxer," said Derham. "This mission shows a great friendship between our two nations and is a shining example of how we can collaborate in areas of social interest."

During Boxer's 11-day stop in Guatemala, the ship's embarked NGOs and military units provided medical, dental, optometry and veterinary care along with construction, renovation and small-scale civil engineering projects with help from Guatemalan counterparts.

Medical specialists from Boxer, Fleet Surgical Team (FST) 5, the U.S. Public Health Service and Project Hope joined forces to conduct 5,272 dental exams and procedures, 1,295 optometry exams, 45 surgeries aboard Boxer, provide 7,540 patients medical care and filled 8,289 prescriptions at several sites in the area. In addition to treatment, teams also conducted classes on hygiene, safe preparation of food and water, child development and infant CPR.

Seabees assigned to Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit 303 and Navy Mobile Construction Battalion 5 completed projects at six sites including three schools, a church and two main-road repairs. The work included roof replacement, constructing new classrooms, replacing doors and windows, painting and landscaping.

"The professionalism from the Sailors, Soldiers, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen who have gone out and worked at these sites has been phenomenal across the board," said Commander of Amphibious Squadron 5 and Mission Commander for CP, Capt. Peter Dallman.

Other highlights during Boxer's time in Guatemala included a visit from Guatemala's Vice Pres., Dr. Jose Rafael Espada, a tour for Guatemalan Sea Cadets, several community relations projects and a goodwill soccer match between Boxer Sailors and Guatemalan service members.

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.

Embarked units and organizations aboard Boxer for CP include Amphibious Squadron 5, FST 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, Maritime Civil Affairs Team 205 and Beach Master Unit 1.

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