USS Kearsarge Arrives in Guyana

USS Kearsarge Arrives in Guyana
November 10, 2008
Navy News

USS KEARSARGE, At Sea - USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), along with various embarked units, began humanitarian/civic assistance (HCA) operations Nov. 9 in Guyana, the ship's fifth and final stop in the Caribbean Phase of Continuing Promise (CP) 2008.

CP's HCA mission to Guyana builds on and encourages the establishment of new partnerships among the host nation, participating partner nations, non-government organizations (NGO) and international organizations.

"We are just as focused on our mission now as we were when we began operations in Nicaragua," said Capt. Fernandez "Frank" Ponds, mission commander for Continuing Promise 2008. "Here in Guyana, we remain dedicated to building friendships and highlighting the importance and value of providing assistance and training to our neighbors in South and Central America and the Caribbean."

CP's medical contingent, led by Fleet Surgical Team (FST) 4, with personnel from U.S Public Health Service, Canada, Brazil, the Netherlands and Project Hope, will work with local medical providers in Mabaruma, Port Kaituma and Santa Rosa to provide basic primary medical care, dental and optometry services.

The embarked Navy Seabee Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit (CBMU) 202, along with engineers from the Air Force's 5th Civil Engineer Squadron Prime Base Emergency Engineer Force will conduct renovations and repair work at four sites in the Georgetown area, including a high school, a community center and a regional hospital.


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