American Embassy to Jamaica Hosts Continuing Promise 2011 Opening Ceremony

By Air Force Staff Sgt. Alesia Goosic, Continuing Promise 2011 Public Affairs

KINGSTON, Jamaica (NNS) -- The American Embassy hosted an opening ceremony for Continuing Promise 2011 (CP11) at the Bank of Jamaica, April 15.

The ceremony marked the beginning of the Continuing Promise mission in Jamaica, which will provide medical, dental, veterinary and engineering support to the local population through April 23.

"CP11 marks the sixth Continuing Promise mission since 2007, and our very first visit to Jamaica," Commodore Capt. Brian Nickerson, mission commander, said. "Our visit provides great opportunities to share common interests and building bonds that will undoubtedly create new and lasting friendships."

CP11 is a collaborative effort among the United States, partner nation governments and non-government organizations in providing humanitarian assistance.

CP11 provides an opportunity for U.S. military and U.S. Public Health Services to work with NGOs, international organizations and partner nations so that strong partnerships are in place and can be called upon in the event of a regional crisis.

During the ceremony, Minister of Health Rudyard Spencer, Deputy Prime Minister Kenneth Baugh and Honorable Pamela Bridgewater, United States Ambassador to Jamaica, spoke of the significance of the partnership during the CP11 mission and their appreciation for USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) and its crew coming to Jamaica.

"This hospital ship symbolizes the commitment of the United States of America toward Jamaica and all her people, and toward regional cooperation," said Bridgewater.

Bridgewater said it is important to note that CP11 is a team effort with health professionals aboard Comfort from Jamaica, Canada, Brazil, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Mexico and the United States working together during this project.

"Please know that the U.S. ambassador to Jamaica salutes America's ambassador, which is the U.S. Naval ship Comfort," Bridgewater said. "And we look forward and know it's going to be a wonderfully productive mission in Jamaica."

COMUSNAVSO/COMFOURTHFLT supports U.S. Southern Command joint and combined full-spectrum military operations by providing principally sea-based, forward presence to ensure freedom of maneuver in the maritime domain, to foster and sustain cooperative relationships with international partners and to fully exploit the sea as maneuver space in order to enhance regional security and promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the Caribbean, Central and South American regions.