Belize Defence Force commander visits joint humanitarian exercise in Haiti

241st Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
Story by Sgt. 1st Class Paul Meeker

Date: 05.26.2011
Posted: 05.26.2011 20:25
News ID: 71171
Local citizens gather at a fence line and express their appreciation to Brig. Gen. Tapia, commander of the Belize Defence Force

GONAIVES, Haiti – Brig. Gen. Dorio Oscar Tapia, commander of the Belize Defence Force, visited Task Force Bon Voizen headquarters at Mandrin, Haiti, May 19. From there, Tapia visited the Upper Poteau engineer site near Gonaives and met with his troops there. 30 members of the Belize Defence Force Rotation have been working side-by-side with rotational Soldiers from the Louisiana and Texas National Guard and the U.S. Army Reserve since April 28 to construct a school, two medical clinics, and one latrine facility.

Task Force Bon Voizen, New Horizons Haiti 2011 is a Commander, U.S. Southern Command sponsored, U.S. Army South conducted, joint foreign military interaction/humanitarian exercise under the command of the Louisiana National Guard. Task Force Bon Voizen is deploying U.S. military engineers and medical professionals to Haiti for training and to provide humanitarian services. Task Force Bon Voizen will build a school, two medical clinics and one latrine facility, as well as staff three medical clinics and one dental clinic between April 28 and June 25 in the Artibonite Department.