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Continued Promises Kept in Costa Rica

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS100903-23
9/3/2010

By Lt. Jacqui Barker, Continuing Promise Public Affairs

LIMON, Costa Rica (NNS) -- Continuing Promise 2010 (CP10) team wrapped up its 10-days of Humanitarian Civic Assistance (HCA) in Limon, Costa Rica Aug. 31.

The CP10 Partnership of the America mission, based aboard USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), provides HCA to the U.S. Southern Command Area of Responsibility specifically in the host nations of Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Nicaragua, Panama and Suriname.

In total, the CP10 Partnership of the Americas team aboard wo Jima triaged 5,769 people, performed 2,537 dental and 3,750 optometry services at two medical sites, conducted 3,210 veterinarian services throughout the Limon region, gave 1,268 pairs of eyeglasses and 472 pairs of sunglasses and performed 54 surgeries.

"Our mission in Costa Rica was a huge success," said CP10 Commodore Capt. Tom Negus. "We came into port and clearly demonstrated to the people of Costa Rica that we were eager to fulfill our promise of humanitarian operations, subject matter expert exchanges (SMEE) and disaster response coordination in an equal-partner spirit of community partnership. I think they saw through our effort the sincerity of that promise."

The CP10 mission is to conduct HCA missions, SMEEs, and offer disaster response collaboration efforts and overall demonstrate the strong U.S. commitment to host nations within Central and South America.

In addition to medical services, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 7 Construction Battalion Mobile Unit 202 built a playground, upgraded a bathroom and overall renovated two school sites in Westafalia and Hone Creek, Costa Rica. Community relations projects, led by the ship's Chaplain Cmdr. Don Oswald, included painting projects at the school sites where the Seabees worked.

"I'm the most popular guy on the ship right now," said Oswald, USS Iwo Jima. "I have Sailors coming up to me, thanking me for the opportunity to participate in the community relations projects. The time they spent with the children at these schools really made a difference in their lives."

Non-Governmental Organization personnel also worked in different areas of Limon to distribute HCA-related goods, such as wheelchairs, backpacks and toys to children. In total, over $290,000 worth of goods were distributed to local hospitals, organizations and schools. Specific donations in total for Costa Rica include: 35 pallets of wheelchairs; a pallet of water filters; 6 pallets of medical consumables; $232,750 in Project Handclasp donations; 12 pallets of goods from the Latter Day Saints and 3 pallets of disinfectant.

While enjoying three days of liberty in Limon and Puerto Viejos, the CP10 team took time to participate in the local Dias del Negro parade, which is a national holiday to commemorate the culture and spirit of the African American people in Costa Rica. Sixteen Sailors, the Air Force Band, members of the Costa Rican Embassy and Military Group all rode on the Continuing Promise 2010 float.