Photo By Sgt. Melanie A Williams | U.S. Marine Pfc. Christopher D. Swope, a water technician with the Belize Detachment,...... read more read more
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On Oct. 24, U.S. Marines with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force - Southern Command held a closing ceremony at the Belize Defence Force Hospital at Price Barracks in Ladyville, Belize, to celebrate the completion of the hospital renovation project.
Working closely with the BDF on the project, the Marines with the Logistics Combat Element, SPMAGTF-SC strengthened the relationship between the United States and the government and people of Belize.
“Four months ago, 33 Marines and Sailors from SPMAGTF-SC, working shoulder-to-shoulder with the Belize Defence Force Light Engineering Company, embarked on a journey to renovate the hospital,” said Adrienne Galanek, Charge d’Affaires, U.S. Embassy in Belize, at the ceremony. “The facility can now serve up to 55 patients daily, and the service members’ work represents a collaboration and friendship between our two great nations.”
The Marines renovated the hospital alongside BDF engineers in order to increase the medical readiness of the BDF and improve the health of the local community.
“There were three major aspects to the Price Barracks hospital renovation, to include structural, electrical, and plumbing scopes of work,” said U.S. Marine 1st Lt. Ryan J. Gibbs, the Belize detachment officer in charge, LCE, SPMAGTF-SC. “The Marines replaced part of the roof, the entire plumbing system and also installed new air conditioning units throughout the hospital.”
The renovations conducted by the Marines will have a significant impact on the BDF’s ability to treat citizens and military personnel at the hospital, which serves the surrounding community of Ladyville in addition to the BDF.
“The detachment worked a total of 31,218 hours over the course of the deployment to get this hospital functioning again,” Gibbs said. “The Marines not only pushed the limits and capabilities of their Military Operational Specialties, but exceeded them.”
Despite having faced several challenges throughout the course of the project, the Marines were able to overcome the obstacles and complete the renovations.
“When it comes to renovations, there can always be unforeseen problems that arise while working,” said U.S. Marine Cpl. James M. Berrini-Shaner, detachment electrical lead, LCE, SPMAGTF-SC. “We learned from each other and relied on one another’s expertise to ensure the project was completed on time.”
Throughout their time in Belize, the Marines also participated in community relations projects.
“The detachment was able to volunteer their time at the Western Regional Hospital in Belmopan, Belize,” Gibbs said. “We aided in repainting a maternity ward and the hospital’s courtyard. This served as an opportunity for the Marines to work with the Belizean people and see the direct impact of their efforts.”
The closing ceremony provided the opportunity for the public to come see the completed project and thank the Marines for their efforts, and allowed the Marines to reflect on their work and how it will benefit the people in the community.
“Marine engineers go through a lot of training and the Marines out here have all been through many different types of schooling,” Berrini-Shaner said. “Seeing Marines use their skills and experience and put it all to the test to accomplish a very hard mission is amazing. I think we put forth our very best to give the BDF a hospital to be proud of. Each individual put their own name on this project in some way and it was great to see people’s faces when they saw all the changes.”
In addition to the project in Belize, Marines with SPMAGTF-SC completed engineering projects in Guatemala and Honduras, as well as conducted security cooperation training with their counterparts in several other Central American and Caribbean nations. The unit also participated in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts in the Caribbean Sea as part of Joint Task Force - Leeward Islands in response to Hurricanes Irma and Maria.
| Date Taken: | 10.19.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 10.25.2017 16:37 |
| Story ID: | 252453 |
| Location: | LADYVILLE, BZ |
| Web Views: | 106 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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