The Navy is preparing for a two-month humanitarian and civic assistance deployment to five countries in the U.S. Southern Command’s area of responsibility, reinforcing the United States’ dedication to fostering goodwill and enhancing interoperability in the region.
Next week, more than 100 personnel aboard the USNS Burlington, an expeditionary fast-transport vessel, will set sail as part of Continuing Promise, an annual series of civic engagements led by U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command. This year’s mission, under the theme “Forward Together,” will include stops in Jamaica, Costa Rica, Honduras, Colombia, and Panama.
“This is our shared neighborhood,” stated Navy Rear Adm. Jim Aiken, commander of the U.S. 4th Fleet and U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command, during a preview of the deployment. “We have friends, and we have partners, and we enjoy that side-by-side relationship with each and every one of them. We learn from them, and they learn from us.”
Marking its 14th iteration, the Continuing Promise mission series has been instrumental in strengthening ties between the U.S. and countries throughout the region. Part of Southcom’s Enduring Promise initiative, the mission aims to build friendship and solidarity with partners and allies in the Caribbean and Central and South America.
The Continuing Promise deployments include U.S. personnel providing medical and veterinary services to local communities, conducting subject-matter exchanges and engineering projects, and hosting community events and band performances. This year, Navy medical personnel, construction experts, and musicians will be joined by Army veterinarians and professionals from the State Department-led Women, Peace, and Security program.
“Both numerically and qualitatively, Continuing Promise has been one of the most impactful humanitarian missions in the U.S. Navy’s history,” said Navy Lt. Cmdr. Zachary Smith, the mission commander for Continuing Promise 2024. He highlighted the mission’s longstanding commitment to the nations and people of Latin America and the Caribbean, noting that since its inception in 2007, the U.S. has delivered over 600,000 medical treatments, conducted more than 7,000 surgeries, and completed numerous construction projects and community engagements.
“Previous iterations of the mission have been extremely successful,” Smith added. “And we anticipate making just as much of an impact this year.”–News Desk