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USS Doyle Creates Lasting Impressions in Guatemala

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090609-10
Release Date: 6/9/2009 5:08:00 PM

From USS Doyle Public Affairs

SANTO TOMAS, Guatemala (NNS) -- The guided-missile frigate USS Doyle (FFG 39) made a port visit to Santo Tomas, Guatemala to help promote Theater Security Cooperation (TSC) May 28-31.

The muggy heat and the tropical landscape of Santo Tomas greeted U.S. Navy Sailors, as Doyle went pier side for a visit that included Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEE), and a community relations (COMREL) project.

Upon arrival, Doyle's Commanding Officer, Cmdr. John M. Zuzich, welcomed the Guatemalan Naval Base Commanding Officer, Guatemalan Navy Capt. Luis Monterroso, the Base Executive Officer, Guatemalan Navy Capt. Navio Carlos Thomas, and other officials aboard for an official meet and greet and gift exchange with the host country.

The main focus of Doyle's visit in Guatemala was a COMREL project which took place at a local orphanage. With 20 volunteers armed with Project Handclasp material that included medical and hygiene supplies, Doyle Sailors spent the day playing games, taking tours and spending quality time with 24 orphans.

The project started with a tour of Doyle and lunch on the mess decks. Following the tour of the ship, the group was off to take a tour to the beautiful Rio Dulce Castle, a fort built in the 1600's by Spanish colonists, located on the outskirts of Santo Tomas. After the hike, both Sailors and children took some time to cool off in a nearby bay.

"We took turns letting the kids jump off our shoulders and into the water," said Storekeeper 2nd Class Zachary Lloyd, a Doyle Sailor who participated in the COMREL project. "They looked absolutely thrilled. I know they enjoyed it as much as we did. They looked so happy to just to be near us and playing with us. I will never forget this."

For the children, this was no ordinary visit, as this was the first time many of them had seen an American Sailor and the first time volunteers had come solely for the purpose of spending time with them. After distributing the supplies, a game of soccer followed, allowing the Sailors to spend some more time with the children.

"This COMREL was an interesting experience; instead of manual labor, our main purpose here was to spend time with the kids," said Doyle's 1st Lt., Ensign Tyler Holcombe. "I think this makes a huge impact on their lives and they will always remember U.S. Sailors taking time out to play with them. I'm looking forward to our future COMRELs."

In the days following the COMREL, Doyle conducted a military SMEE with the Guatemalan navy with various Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS) exercises. The events included takedown procedures, handcuffing and tactical team movement.

Doyle is currently on a six-month deployment to Latin America and the Caribbean participating in Southern Seas 2009, in support of U.S. Southern Command's Partnership of the Americas strategy. This year's deployment includes Doyle, USS Kauffman (FFG 59), and USS Ford (FFG 54), with Destroyer Squadron 40 as the command element, focused on conducting exercises and military-to-military TSC events in an effort to enhance relationships with partner nations in the region.

For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/cusns/.