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CPO8 Engineers Restore Heart of Community in Guyana

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS081114-11
Release Date: 11/14/2008 6:27:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Brandon Shelander, Continuing Promise 2008 Public Affairs

GEORGETOWN, Guyana (NNS) -- Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit 202 and U.S. Air Force 5th Civil Engineer Squadron Prime Base Emergency Engineer Force, both embarked aboard USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), began renovation at the East Ruimveldt Community Center Nov. 9 in support of Continuing Promise (CP) 2008.

The community center has been a fixture in the neighborhood for nearly 20 years. It has also served as a daycare facility for children 6 months-4 years.

"The community center has been a second home to generations of children in this neighborhood," said Donna Mohabeer, president of the East Ruimveldt Development Association. "The center is the heart of our community, and we introduce civic/welfare programs to educate our children in hopes they will give back to this community."

Mohabeer, a former active-duty service member in the Guyanese Defense Force, said the center's focus is on cultural development, health education and sports.

One Sailor stationed aboard Kearsarge remembers the community center very well.

Fireman Nikita Phillips grew up two blocks from the center as a child. She was excited about the opportunity to return to her homeland and see the center getting a facelift.

"I came to this community center as a child," said Phillips. "I think what CP mission is doing here is wonderful. Guyana needs projects like this; it brings the community together and supports positive views of America."

CP 2008 engineers, along with the assistance of community relations project (COMREL) volunteers from Kearsarge, will clean the outside of the facility; paint; replace awnings, light poles and stairs; install a playground, soccer and basketball goals; and put up a new fence around the facility.

"A project like this is heartwarming," said Tech. Sgt. Derron Price, project site leader. "We are going to make sure the grounds are safe and secure so the community will take new interest in the center."

Kearsarge's CP 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.

The mission of CP is to conduct civil-military operations including humanitarian and civic assistance as well as veterinary, medical, dental and civil engineering support to six partner nations and to send a strong message of U.S. compassion, support and commitment to Central and South America and the Caribbean.

USS Kearsarge is under the operational control of U.S. 4th Fleet. U.S. 4th Fleet's mission is to direct United States naval forces operating in the Caribbean and Central and South American regions and interact with partner nation navies to shape the maritime environment.

The CP Caribbean Phase is the second of two HCA deployments to the Southern Command area of focus for 2008. The first CP deployment was conducted by USS Boxer (LHD 4) in the Pacific.

Embarked units and organizations aboard Kearsarge for CP include Commander, Amphibious Squadron 8, Fleet Surgical Team 4; U.S. Public Health Service; Navy Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit 202; Air Force Civil Engineering Squadron 5´s Prime Base Engineer Emergency Force; contingents of medical personnel from the armed forces of Canada, The Netherlands and Brazil; Navy Assault Craft Unit 2; Naval Beach Group 2; non-governmental organization Project HOPE; U.S. Navy Maritime Civil Affairs Squadron 2; Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 28 and Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 464.

For more news from USS Kearsarge, visit www.navy.mil/local/lhd3.