New Horizons' supplies arrive at Belize port

by Capt Holly Hess
Task Force Mahogany Public Affairs

4/5/2013 - BELIZE CITY, Belize -- Nineteen containers arrived to the port of Belize April 2 on U.S. Army Vessels Runnymede and Brandy Station.

The containers were filled with supplies for New Horizons, a U.S. Southern Command exercise providing medical and dental treatment as well as constructs needed structures, such as classrooms, throughout Belize.

New Horizons gives U.S., Canadian and Belizean personnel an opportunity to train jointly in an exercise setting, in order to be prepared to meet future challenges.

This is the second shipment received at the port for the exercise.

Master Sgt. Wilbert Hall, logistics superintendent assigned to the 823rd RED HORSE Squadron, was responsible for coordinating the offload of the goods, accounting for the items, and arranging transportation to get them to proper locations.

"It is an excellent program," said Hall. "I enjoy helping others. It is great to help other countries and have them see a different part of what we do."

Hall also stated he really enjoys working with the Belizeans.

"They are great people, really personable people," Hall said. "They are glad we are here and do anything they can do to help."

The shipment contained approximately 418 tons of items, to include materials to build the classrooms, medical supplies and equipment.

Civil engineers, from both the U.S. and Belize, are constructing various structures with the items received from the shipment at schools in Ladyville, Crooked Tree and Orange Walk to support furthering the education for the children in the country. Construction is already underway at the four classroom locations.

In addition, doctors and medical specialists from the U.S., Canada, and Belize will provide humanitarian assistance and medical care to the local communities and are scheduled to be in Punta Gorda, Dangriga, Orange Walk, and Belmopan various times during the exercise.

The first clinic to provide free medical services is scheduled to be in Punta Gorda April 8 and 9 and at St. Peter Claver R. C. School April 10 to 12 at San Pedro Columbia School. The clinic has the capacity to serve approximately 500 patients per day.

The 19 containers are scheduled to arrive to various sites throughout Belize by April 6.