By Robert Appin
SAN ISIDRO, Dominican Republic – On Nov. 3, U.S. Army South's rapid deployable command and control personnel along with their humanitarian assistance survey team deployed to the Dominican Republic to participate in disaster relief operations in areas affected by Tropical Storm Noel. This phase of the operation concluded, Nov. 8. Now they will focus on providing much needed medical attention.
The team that will provide this assistance is known as Expeditionary Medical Liaison team from Joint Task Force-Bravo located at Soto Cano Air Base in Honduras.
"The team is composed of 13 US Army and Air Force service members and arrived in Santo Domingo, Nov. 9, to provide basic medical care to the displaced population here during the next three days," said Air Force Capt. Tracie Swingle, officer-in-charge of the EML. The team is capable of treating 300 to 700 individuals a day stated Swingle.
Dominican Republic Air Force Maj. Gen. Rafael Peña Antonio, chief of staff, Dominican Republic Air Force, welcomed the team at the San Isidro Air Base where he expressed his gratitude for their assistance.
"The team will augment the ongoing medical support being provided by local organizations to the displaced citizens here," said Col. Ricardo R. Riera, deputy chief of staff, U.S. Army South. We are extremely happy to be able to continue providing assistance to our partner nation added Riera.
The EML routinely performs humanitarian missions throughout Central America, and has recently sent teams to El Salvador, Belize and Nicaragua.