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Continuing Promise, Seabees Renovate School in Dominican Republic

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090423-17
Release Date: 4/23/2009 3:43:00 PM

By Airman 1st Class Benjamin Stratton

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (NNS) -- Navy Seabees began their first construction project in the Dominican Republic April 22 at Otto Martinez, a local school, while assigned to hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) during Continuing Promise 2009 (CP09).

"The Dominican people need our help," said Builder 2nd Class Christian Rivas, Comfort Navy Seabee. "I am glad we are here to provide the assistance."

CP09 combines U.S. military and interagency personnel, non-governmental organizations, civil service mariners, academic and partner nations to provide medical, dental, veterinary and engineering services afloat and ashore alongside host nation personnel.

Seabees have come to Otto Martinez to reconstruct an addition previously built onto the school. Due to unforeseen circumstances, this particular section of the school has undergone much more wear and tear than the main building.

"We are going to bring up some new walls, put on a new roof and update the existing electrical systems," said Construction Electrician Seaman Darren Schubert.

Seabees are well-known for completing their mission in a timely fashion. Even with only 10 days, the crew predicts the project will be completed on time.

"The way we are going to complete this project in the allotted time is the fact we have a really good crew, a lot of great people and plan to put in a lot of long hours," Schubert said.

CP09 demonstrates U.S. Southern Command and 4th Fleet's commitment to Latin America and the Caribbean region. Comfort is scheduled to visit five other countries as part of CP09: Antigua and Barbuda, Colombia, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Panama.

"So far my time with CP has been outstanding," Rivas said. "We did good work in Haiti and look forward to continuing to do good things here in the Dominican Republic."