Guatemalan Military Welcomes Boxer, Kicks Off Continuing Promise

PUERTO DE SAN JUAN, Guatemala: Guatemalan military leaders ceremoniously welcomed USS Boxer (LHD 4) to Puerto de San Juan on May 7 to mark the official beginning of operations in Guatemala as part of Continuing Promise (CP) 2008.

CP is a collaborative effort between U.S. military services to work with non-government organizations and host nations to build strong partnerships which can be called upon in the event of a regional situation that requires cooperative solutions.

After exchanging greetings at the Guatemalan navy base with their hosts, the Mission Commander for CP, Capt. Peter Dallman, Boxer's Commanding Officer, Capt. Matthew McCloskey and Medical Contingent Commander, Capt. (Dr.) Louis Orosz, were invited to join the Commanding Officer of Guatemala Pacific Naval Base, Capt. Rafel Alfonso Reneau Franco, for a pass-in-review of Guatemalan military personnel.

"For the majority of people, the sea is an obstacle, but for us, the seamen, the sea is a connection which allows us to communicate," said Franco. "In the name of the Commander of the National Navy, Capt. Fernando Campo Sanchez, we give our most courteous welcome to you."

Dallman and McCloskey were also asked to sign the base's golden logbook, an honor reserved for special guests of the base commander.

"We're very happy and honored to be in your country," said Dallman. "We've traveled to Guatemala from San Diego to work side-by-side with your medical, engineering, veterinary and dental professionals. We are eager to learn from you, and I hope you can learn something from us."

Boxer's mission exemplifies the U.S. maritime strategy which emphasizes deploying forces to build confidence and trust among nations through collective maritime security efforts that focus on common threats and mutual interests.

Embarked units and organizations aboard Boxer for CP include Amphibious Squadron 5, Fleet Surgical Team 5, U.S. Public Health Service, Project Hope, Project Handclasp, Navy Seabee Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit 303, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 5, Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 14, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 764, Tactical Air Control Squadron 11, Special Marine Air Ground Task Force 24, Helicopter Sea Combat Support Squadron 23, Assault Craft Unit 1 and Beach Master Unit 1.