Iwo Jima Deploys in Support of Continuing Promise

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Morgan E. Dial, USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) Public Affairs

NORFOLK (NNS) -- USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) departed Naval Station Norfolk July 12 in support of Continuing Promise 2010 (CP10).

Continuing Promise is an annual humanitarian civic assistance operation that provides opportunities to establish new partnerships with other nations, non-government organizations (NGOs), international government organizations and learn from host nations and civilian experts.

During the scheduled four-month surge, relief operations will be conducted in Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Panama and Suriname.

CP10 is a U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) directed operation implemented by U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and U.S. 4th Fleet (COMUSNAVSO/C4F).

There are more than 1,600 Sailors, Marines, Soldiers, Airmen and civilians including Commander Amphibious Squadron 6, Fleet Surgical Team 2, Navy Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit (CBMU) 202, Maritime Civil Affairs Team 206, Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force (SPMAGTF), CLR-25 Medical Detachment and contingents of medical personnel from the armed forces of The Netherlands, Canada and Germany and various other satellite commands embarked on board Iwo Jima.

Iwo Jima's medical team will work alongside Central American, South American and Caribbean medical teams as well as NGOs. Together, the teams are capable of providing general surgical care, primary and consultative care, ophthalmologic services, optometric services, preventative and environmental health, dental screenings and treatment, public health training and veterinary services.

"Iwo Jima has the optimal blend of medical, surgical and dental capabilities," said Capt. Michael T. Hopkins, Iwo Jima's senior medical officer. "In addition, we have more capability to transport people and supplies from the flight deck and well deck than the USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) during their deployments."

Seabees from CBMU 202 in Norfolk will be supporting the civic action programs along with detachments from Jacksonville and Key West, Fla., and Kings Bay, Ga. They will provide local communities with building repairs and improvements, new small construction projects, utility system repairs and other projects depending on the host nation's needs.

SPMAGTF will also provide medical and engineering support to this humanitarian civic assistance by conducting subject matter expert exchanges with specified partner nations. In addition, they will provide air and ground transportation for nearly all of the medical, engineering and community relation sites.

"I am so very proud of this crew. Since I took command in 2008, all tasks that have been put in front of them, they have simply knocked them out of the park," said Capt. Jeff Amick, Iwo Jima commanding officer. "These great Americans have exceeded every expectation throughout a very challenging year and a half. I am extremely confident that this humanitarian mission is going to really showcase this ship, these Sailors and Marines and our Navy's ability to respond to any situation when tasked. This crew is ready to respond and could not be more ready to deliver."

COMUSNAVSO is the naval component command for USSOUTHCOM and is responsible for all Naval personnel and assets in the area of responsibility.

COMUSNAVSO conducts a variety of missions in support of the U.S. Maritime Strategy, including theater security cooperation, relationship building, humanitarian assistance and disaster response, community relations and counter-illicit trafficking operations.