The US Military Sealift Command ship USNS Spearhead (T-EPF 1) arrived in Guatemala with a team of 250 navy and army service members for the second mission stop of the civil-military operation Continuing Promise 2018.
The ship entered Puerto Barrios on April 5 while an opening ceremony was held at Comando Naval de Carribe Naval Base on April 8.
CP-18 will provide medical, dental, environmental and veterinary care, which will include preventive treatments, optometry screenings, and women’s health services. Civil military operations, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief will also be a part of the mission in Guatemala.
“This is the eighth time that Continuing Promise has visited Guatemala,” said Capt. Angel Cruz, the designated Commander, Task Force 48 for the Continuing Promise mission. “We are here to show our commitment to a great alley and friend, the Guatemalan people. Together, working alongside government, military and non-governmental organizations, we hope to reach as many people as possible.”
CP-18 is scheduled to run from March to May and recently completed their visit to Honduras and Key West. They are slated to visit Columbia for their final stop.
CP-18 is a US Southern Command-sponsored and US Naval Forces Southern/U.S. 4th Fleet-conducted deployment to conduct civil-military operations including humanitarian assistance, training engagements and medical, dental, and veterinary support in an effort to show US support and commitment to Central and South America.