Operation Continuing Promise

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US Navy 110715-N-NY820-044 Hospitalman Jabarae Person, left, and Lt. Jason Switzer escort a patient into the clinic during a Continuing Promise 201

Operation Continuing Promise is a humanitarian and civic assistance mission conducted by the United States Navy and its partners. The operation aims to provide medical, dental, veterinary, and engineering assistance to countries in the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. The mission also focuses on building partnerships and improving the capabilities of host nations to respond to natural disasters and other crises.

History

Operation Continuing Promise was initiated in 2007 as part of the broader U.S. military strategy to enhance regional stability and security. The operation typically involves the deployment of a hospital ship, such as the USNS Comfort (T-AH-20), which serves as the primary platform for delivering medical and humanitarian aid.

Objectives

The primary objectives of Operation Continuing Promise include:

• Providing medical, dental, and veterinary care to underserved populations.
• Conducting engineering projects to improve local infrastructure.
• Enhancing the disaster response capabilities of partner nations.
• Strengthening relationships and fostering goodwill between the United States and participating countries.

Medical and Dental Services

Medical and dental services are a cornerstone of Operation Continuing Promise. These services include:

• General medical care
• Surgical procedures
• Dental examinations and treatments
• Preventive health education

The medical teams often work in collaboration with local healthcare providers to ensure continuity of care and to build local capacity.

Veterinary Services

Veterinary services are provided to improve the health of livestock and pets, which are vital to the livelihoods of many communities. Services include:

• Vaccinations
• Spaying and neutering
• General health assessments

Engineering Projects

Engineering projects undertaken during Operation Continuing Promise aim to improve local infrastructure. These projects may include:

• Building or renovating schools and clinics
• Constructing water wells and sanitation facilities
• Repairing roads and bridges

Partnerships and Training

A key component of Operation Continuing Promise is the training and capacity-building of local personnel. This includes:

• Joint medical exercises
• Disaster response training
• Technical workshops

Impact

Since its inception, Operation Continuing Promise has had a significant impact on the health and well-being of thousands of individuals in the region. The mission has also strengthened diplomatic ties and improved the ability of host nations to respond to emergencies.

Participating Countries

Countries that have participated in Operation Continuing Promise include:

• Haiti
• Dominican Republic
• Nicaragua
• Honduras
• Colombia
• Ecuador
• Peru

See Also

• United States Navy
• USNS Comfort (T-AH-20)
• Humanitarian aid
• Disaster response