Amphibious dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD 51) delivered 24 Project Handclasp pallets of goodwill materials and medical supplies that will be distributed to those in need in Colombia during Amphibious – Southern Partnership Station 2012 (A-SPS 12) Oct. 16.
“ PH in conjunction with A-SPS 12 will further demonstrate that the U.S. truly is fully committed to supporting our partner nations’ civil and maritime services in their efforts to aid in security, stability, prosperity and humanitarian assistance if needed,” said Capt. Arturo Garcia , A-SPS 12 mission commander.
Project Handclasp is a U.S. Navy program that accepts and transports educational, humanitarian and goodwill material donated by America’s private sector on a space-available basis aboard U.S. Navy ships for distribution to foreign nation recipients.
“It is a great feeling to know that the goods we are delivering to Colombia will go to those in need,” said Cpl. Garry Pena , a Marine assigned to Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force (SPMAGTF) Southern Partnership Station. “I’m just thankful to my unit for giving me the opportunity to be a part of this.”
The A-SPS 12 mission is to conduct combined naval and amphibious subject-matter expert exchanges with partner nation military and security forces in order to increase host nation capacity to conduct stability and peacekeeping operations. Oak Hill is also on call to act as a “first responder” to conduct humanitarian assistance/foreign disaster relief in the region, if needed.
U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and U.S. 4th Fleet (COMUSNAVSO/C4F) supports U.S. Southern Command joint and combined full-spectrum military operations by providing principally sea-based, forward presence to ensure freedom of maneuver in the maritime domain, to foster and sustain cooperative relationships with international partners and to fully exploit the sea as maneuver space in order to enhance regional security and promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the Caribbean, Central and South American regions.
[mappress] Source: navy, October 19, 2011