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Sailors Team with Local Professionals to Make a Difference in Peruvian Community

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090617-22
Release Date: 6/17/2009 10:22:00 PM

From USS Doyle Public Affairs

CALLAO, Peru (NNS) -- Sailors of Task Group 40.0 were welcomed to a small school in Callao, for a community relations (COMREL) project, June 12.

The happy faces of school children surrounded the Sailors as they unloaded tools and cans of paint in preparation for the project. A newly painted soccer post, volleyball net and the freshly painted building were only a few of the projects that marked Task Group 40.0's work in Peru during the Southern Seas 2009 deployment.

"Each COMREL project is a new experience for the host country as well as for the crew," said Ensign Jeremy Linton, of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 40. "Just being able to spend time with kids and see their faces after we repainted their soccer goals and built them a volley ball net, it really makes for a positive perspective on both our Peruvian hosts and for the Sailors. This is what our mission here is really about."

Located between Callao and Lima, the COMREL project took place in two schools, the Frenando Belaunde Terry School and Santa Rosa 2093 School. With a box of tools and painting supplies, Sailors immediately went to work building a large volleyball net and new soccer post for the children.

The Peruvian Navy also provided support during the day. They worked alongside Task Group 40.0 Sailors, providing doctors and barbers to assist. The students received on-the-spot medical treatment such as minor dental work and fresh haircuts.

"This experience is amazing; you see a different side of the culture, and with this particular COMREL, you could see how much a school really means to the community," said Navy Counselor 1st Class (SW) Paul Soto, of USS Doyle (FFG 39). "Working with the Peruvians enabled us to strengthen our ties, and you realize the impact you are making to a country. It makes for a positive perspective on both sides."

COMREL projects enable U.S. Sailors to be involved with the local community they visit through humanitarian efforts, and many projects involve conducting minor repairs to facilities. In the case of this COMREL project it was coordinated to coincide with a delivery of Project Handclasp supplies. Project Handclasp is a collection of donated items, such as medical goods, hygiene products, school supplies and toys, delivered around the world by the U.S. military and given to people in need. Project Handclasp deliveries for this project included a pallet of medical supplies and hygiene material.

Task Group 40.0 is executing Southern Seas 2009, a six-month deployment to the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) area of focus, which encompasses the Caribbean, Central and South America and surrounding waters. The annual Southern Seas deployment supports SOUTHCOM's Partnership of the Americas strategy, focusing on conducting exercises, military-to-military engagements and theater security cooperation engagements that enhance relationships with partner nations throughout Latin America.

Task Group 40.0 is comprised of the guided-missile frigate USS Doyle (FFG 39) with embarked Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 40 staff, USS Ford (FFG 54) with embarked Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 43 Det. 3 and USS Kauffman (FFG 59).

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