Photo By Staff Sgt. Sean McCollum | Capt. Terica Rusher, Col. William J. Walker, Maj. Enrique Young and Sgt. Maj. Clifford...... read more read more
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ARLINGTON, Va. — National Guard members from at least eight states will participate in Beyond the Horizon 2009, a humanitarian and civic assistance mission hosted by U.S. Southern Command through, June 15.
Members of the Puerto Rico National Guard's 101st Troop Command are already there rebuilding school houses, roads and clinics in the Dominican Republic, a country that happens to be their State Partnership Program partner. They will work together in what is known as the Partnership of the Americas Collaboration and Coordination Element.
"You've got a relationship established between these state partners," said Maj. Lyndon Jones, a Texas Guard member, who saw the operation firsthand as the Information Operations planner and implementation officer for the exercise.
With a good working relationship already in place, he said, the construction part of the operation can begin smoothly.
Helping out the 101st are Guard members from Illinois, Tennessee, Colorado and Nevada. The 230th Engineer Battalion of the Tennessee National Guard will build a new schoolhouse, said Jones, who added that 10 projects are underway in the center of the island.
Meanwhile, the 1432nd Engineer Company of the Michigan National Guard will conduct drainage operations at the Las Calderas Naval Base near Santo Domingo.
The Rhode Island National Guard will also use the opportunity for the 173rd Long Range Surveillance Detachment to train. Members of 173rd will patrol, conduct convoy escorts, set up observation posts and conduct cordon and searches in the same area.
Members of the 372nd Military Police Battalion of the District of Columbia National Guard is currently serving as the headquarters element for the exercise in Jamaica.
"This mission is about partnering with the country of Jamaica to accomplish one goal: sharing the knowledge and expertise of both countries and enriching the capabilities of all parties involved," said Col. William J. Walker, the PACCE commander.
Soldiers recently donated at a blood drive at the Knutsford Court Hotel in Kingston, Jamaica, which will benefit children awaiting cardiac surgery at the Bustamante Children's Hospital.
"We are excited to have the U.S. military partnering with us to make this blood drive a success," said Carol Williams, blood donor organizer for the hospital. "The support of your service members is greatly appreciated."
Beyond the Horizon is a new concept that was expanded from the U.S. Southern Command's "New Horizon" mission started in the mid-1980s. The exercise includes humanitarian and civic assistance projects, construction and renovation projects, and cooperative exchange and training activities designed to promote cooperation for all countries involved.
Beyond the Horizon hopes to help improve the quality of life for residents living throughout this area of operations while at the same time improving each country's capabilities and providing opportunities for U.S. personnel to refine their engineering, medical, mobilization and deployment skills.
| Date Taken: | 04.15.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 04.15.2009 14:34 |
| Story ID: | 32428 |
| Location: | ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 534 |
| Downloads: | 378 |
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