U.S. forces lend assistance to Dominicans

Photo By Staff Sgt. Kirstin Spanu | Civil affairs Marines, Capt. Brendan McGovern and GySgt. Jason Burke (left to right), from 4th Civil Affairs Group speak with a local Dominican boy and his family on July 24, 2015, in Roseau, Dominica, about Operation Continuing Promise 2015 and the free health services that will be available to them.Operation Continuing Promise is a mission in which the United States military works with host nations to provide humanitarian assistance and execute civil-military operations alongside various partner nations within the Caribbean and Central and South America. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kirstin Merrimarahajara/released)  

ROSEAU, DOMINICA

07.26.2015

Story by Cpl. Kirstin Spanu  

U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South

ROSEAU, Dominica- Many people know Dominica as “The Nature Island,” and for good reason, too. Tall, coconut-bearing palm trees, rushing waterfalls and bright coral reefs welcome visitors and invite them to enjoy this little piece of paradise in the Eastern Caribbean.

Although many come to the country to soak up the sun, for two Marines, their visit to Dominica was all about business.
A small civil affairs team of just two Marines from 4th Civil Affairs Group arrived on the island on July 19, 2015, with the task of meeting with government and non-government officials, as well as other Dominican locals to coordinate several community relations events and prepare the country for the arrival of U.S. Navy Ship Comfort (T-AH-20) on July 27, 2015, for Operation Continuing Promise 2015.

Operation Continuing Promise is a mission in which the United States military works with host nations to provide humanitarian assistance and execute civil-military operations alongside various partner nations within the Caribbean and Central and South America.

“We’re part of an advanced team that comes before the ship and the importance of that is making physical contact with the people who are the decision-makers here on the island,” said GySgt. Jason Burke, civil affairs team member with 4th CAG. “We’re here to set up the activities before they kick off so once the ship gets here, the ship’s not worried about coordinating any of these activities … they’re able to just port, disembark their equipment and personnel and then jump right into serving the local population through the medical sites, which is the ship’s primary mission.”

Medical sites will be hosted in two separate locations on the island and will provide a multitude of health services for up to 600 locals per day, for nine days. All services provided will be free-of-charge and include women’s health, dental care and optometry, among many others.

Local citizens are looking forward to the opportunity to receive free care, which can sometimes be costly.

“This moment is very important because that would be the first time we would be getting a ship to come to Dominica to [provide free care],” said James Hunkins, a Dominican local. “We will always prefer it to come again because it’s helping a lot of people. Some people have money and they could travel to go do their medical, but some haven’t got money to do their medical. If we get it free, we will always take it here.”

A Navy band will also provide entertainment at the medical sites and other places around the island. Other U.S. involvement includes the painting of a homeless shelter, playing soccer with local children and constructing a small building.

• Date Taken: 07.26.2015
• Date Posted: 07.28.2015 13:33
• Story ID: 171161
• Location: ROSEAU, DM