Nosotros_0505

Serving the U.S. Southern Command military family in South Florida, the Caribbean, Central and South America and the surrounding seas

Volume 1 Issue 8 April 21 - May 5, 2011

Enlisted Persons of the Year

Tech. Sgt. Shanda L. De AndaU.S. Southern Command Public Affairs

Southern Command staff and families recognized its first En-listed Persons of the Year dur-ing a ceremony here April 28.

The winners, Navy Petty Of-ficer 1st Class John Lukosus,

senior enlisted person of 2010, and Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Dwain Pemberton, ju-nior enlisted person of 2010, represent the best of the best in SOUTHCOM.

“The intent of these presti-gious awards is to recognize enlisted personnel for sus-

tained excellence in duty per-formance, military appearance and bearing,” said Sgt. Maj. Louis Espinal, SOUTHCOM senior enlisted advisor. “The program was nonexistent ‘till last year; we all feel extremely

MA1 John J. Lukosus, currently assigned to JTF-GTMO is awarded the Senior Enlisted Person of the Year award by SOUTHCOM commander Gen. Douglas Fraser

Photos by Tech. Sgt. Edwin Hernandez

American Forces Press Service and local reports

WASHINGTON, D.C. – An intelligence-driven U.S. operation in Pakistan killed al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden Sunday, President Barack Obama announced in a nationally televised address late Sunday.

“Today, at my direction, the United States launched a targeted operation against that compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan,” Obama said. “A small team of Americans carried out the operation with extraordinary courage and capability.

“No Americans were harmed,” he con-tinued. “They took care to avoid civilian casualties. After a firefight, they killed Osama bin Laden and took custody of his body.”

“The death of bin Laden marks the most significant achievement to date in our na-tion’s effort to defeat al-Qaida, yet his death does not mark the end of our ef-fort,” Obama said. “There is no doubt that al-Qaida will continue to pursue attacks against us. We must, and we will, remain vigilant at home and abroad.”

Here at SOUTHCOM, reactions varied from elation to relief. We asked a number of people how they felt about the news of Bin Laden’s death. Here are a few of their

responses:n Dell Cooper - “I think

this is going to be a great morale-booster to the soldiers who are fighting. It took 10

years to reach this endgame.”n Francisco Rosado - “It was very

surprising after all this time. I was expecting more proof [of Bin Laden’s Death].”n Lazaro Reyes - “I don’t

like to wish death on anyone, but I feel that justice has been served.”n Hugh Collier - “Out-

standing! This helps alleviate the problems overseas. They did an exceptional job and maybe this will help bring clo-sure to the families of some of the 9/11 victims.”n Lt. Cmdr. Carlos Oveda

- “We’re just getting started. Bin Laden was a figurehead. Basically, he was already dead.”

Death of Bin Laden elicits thoughtful reactions

COOPER

ROSADO

REYES

COLLIER

OVEDA

MA2 Dwain Pemberton, also assigned to JTF-GTMO is awarded the Junior Enlisted Person of the Year award by SOUTHCOM commander Gen. Douglas Fraser.

— N E W S —From the Commander ... p2

Hoperider readies to roll cross-country ................. p2

Seabee meets family for the first time .................. p3

Standing Joint Force Headquarters deploys for exercise ........................... p5

USNS Comfort arrives in Peru ................................ p7

UNITAS completes first phase of mission ............ p7

SOUTHCOM Chaplain packs treats bound for wounded warriors ......... p8

S E C T I O N SFeedback INFO .................. p2After Hours ........................ p4

Around the Americas ........ p6 ... see EPOY, page 5

2 Nosotros • We • Nou • NÓS • NOUS • Volume 1 Issue 7 • April 21, 2011 • U.S. Southern Command and U.S. Army Garrison - Miami

SOUTHCOM CommanderGen. Douglas Fraser, USAF

Director, Public AffairsCol. Scott Malcom, USA

Chief, Internal InformationRaymond Sarracino

EditorArthur McQueen

NOSOTROS Office Address:

9301 NW 33rd St. Room A1423 Doral, FL 33172

Phone: (305) 437-2685Web: http://www.southcom.mil

“NOSOTROS” is an authorized internal bi-weekly publication intended for: uniformed mem-bers of the Department of Defense, US Government civilians, contractors and liaisons working for U.S. Southern Command or in its Area of Responsibility and their dependents. The contents of “NOSOTROS,” including listings

of public events or services, are not necessarily the official views of, or constitute an endorsement by the U.S. Army Garrison-Miami, Installation Manage-ment Command, U.S. Southern Command, DoD or the U.S. Government. The content of this publication is solely the

responsibility of the SOUTHCOM and USAG-Miami Public Affairs Offices.

Like/Dislike NOSOTROS? Want to share Ideas? Feedback? Do your colleagues deserve notice? Let us know! Contact Public Affairs at 305.437.1213, or visit us on: Facebook: southcomnosotros; Twitter: SCNosotros or E-mail: southcomnosotros@

gmail.com. Submissions to NOSOTROS should be received by the Friday preceeding the publication date.

With the death of Usama Bin Laden, our fellow warriors

in U.S. Special Operations Command scored a significant victory yesterday in the long and continuing fight against Al Qaeda and their supporting ter-rorist organizations. Al Qaeda suffered a monumental loss that only time will tell the true impact.

While a great de-feat, as we have seen before, Al Qaeda is hurt but they are not yet vanquished. Like a seriously wounded animal, we can expect Al Qaeda to lash out at the United States, the members of our armed forces, and our citizens. While we celebrate a great success, we

must remain vigilant to the in-dications of potential terrorist activity at our HQ, within our communities, and throughout the region. While we have no specific information, I ask us

all to remain vigi-lant now and for some time in the future. Our job is to remain vigilant and deny any open-ing for Al Qaeda to exploit -- all of us must remain aware and prepared.

On behalf of you, the great men and women of US

Southern Command, I want to extend our heartfelt thanks to the men and women of USSO-COM for their professionalism and skill, along with that of the CIA and our diplomats.

From the Commander

MAY IS MILITARY APPRECIATION MONTH – Please read NOSOTROS and check the SOUTHCOM portal regularly for event announcements.

Gen. Douglas FraserCommander,U.S. Southern Command

To all USSOUTHCOM Warriors,

“While we celebrate a great success, we must remain vigilant ... ”

MILITARY APPRECIATION MONTHMILITARY APPRECIATION MONTH HOSTED BY USAG-MIAMI FAMILY AND MWR n Each Day in May, Family and MWR will conduct a prize drawing. Drawings are on Saturdays and Sundays too! n Prize value: Each prize is valued at approximately $100. Final Grand Prize on May 31 will exceed $700 in value.n Eligibility: All active duty servicemembers assigned, and reservists on orders to, U.S. Southern Command. n How to enter: Register throughout May at the ITR Office with each servicemember eligible to register one time. Once a member has been selected for a daily prize they will not be eligible for another drawing. n Grand Prize drawing: All winning names will be reen-tered for the Grand Prize drawing. Daily drawing will take place at noon at the ITR Office, Installation Services Center, 1st floor. n For more information: Call ITR at 305-437-1595.

Congratulations to SOUTHCOM Air Force Element’s 1st Quarter 2011 award winners!

n Senior non- commissioned officer Master Sgt. Eduardo Marin (SOCSOUTH) n Non- commissioned officer Tech. Sgt. Matthew O’Leary (SOCSOUTH)

Hoperider rides againSOUTHCOM’s own Lacy Betton continues his annual tradition of a cross-country motorcycle ride to raise awareness of several charities.

This year he plans to have a part-ner, retired Army Master Sgt. Jephte Garcia, ride with him on this year’s round-trip motorcycle adventure from Key West, Fla. to Deadhorse, Alaska.

Their odyssey begins in Key West June 11 and ends there July 4.

For more information visit their web site: www.hoperider.org

3Nosotros • We • Nou • NÓS • NOUS • Volume 1 Issue 7 • April 21, 2011 • U.S. Southern Command and U.S. Army Garrison - Miami

By Petty Officer 1st Class (SCW) Lori RobertsNMCB 28 Public Affairs

QUEZALTEPEQUE, El Salvador – As a member of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 28, based in Shreve-port, La., Steelworker Third Class (SW3) Jack Marroquin is deployed in support of the Beyond the Horizon exercise.

The mission has allowed Marroquin to realize a dearly held dream, one that has brought him, in his words, to “happiness beyond the horizon.”

Marroquin, born in the U.S. to Salvador-ean immigrants, has had little contact with his extended family. When his father was killed in a work-related accident in Feb-ruary 2003, Marroquin met his paternal grandfather for the first time.

He was touched and fascinated his grand-father’s recollections about his father’s life in El Salvador, and the changes his grand-father had seen.

The stories inspired Marroquin to want to someday visit and see for himself where his family was from.

“My mom, Melva Garcia, was born in

... La Union, while my dad, Serafin Mar-roquin, was born here in Quezaltepeque. My mom left for the U.S. in the eighties ... [she] has always been caring and hard-working, and my dad was responsible and

family-oriented. They gave me my values and pride in being Salvadorean.”

When Marroquin learned he would be part of the mission to El Salvador, he was ecstatic. The humani-

tarian mission included construction of an auditorium for an elementary school in Te-petitan with local engineers.

“I know I’m doing a good thing for good, hardworking people in the country my parents came from. Since we hopped on the plane my happiness has been visible and my feet have been itching to stand in El Salvador,” said Marroquin.

Shortly after arriving in El Salvador, Marroquin met Brig. Gen. Acosta of the Salvadorean Army. He shared his story with Acosta, who was taken with the idea

that Marroquin should visit his father’s hometown, and offered to provide security for the trip. Lt. j.g. Henry Wallis, Officer -in-Charge of Marroquin’s unit, made ar-rangements for the four-hour trip April 30.

“When I met my grandfather when my dad died, I told him I wanted to visit him in El Salvador. He had told me all about the house he was so proud he had bought, and I want to step inside that house. I also know seeing him will remind us both of my dad, so I’m sure it will be emotional,” said Marroquin. He also talked about aunts and cousins he would see for the first time in his life. “They all loved my dad, and they have said they see part of him in me when they look at pictures, so they are as anxious as I am.”

“My stay in El Salvador has been better than I can ever explain,” said Marroquin. “I’ve made lots of friends, seen a lot of happy children’s faces, and created a lot of memories I will cherish forever. Hopeful-ly I will get to return to El Salvador after this, because this mission has given me a new meaning and a new love for the coun-try where my parents were born.”

Seabee meets extended family for first time

Petty Officer 3rd Class Jack Marroquin (seventh from right in purple), fulfilled a lifelong dream of meeting his relatives in El Salvador during a recent Beyond the Horizon exercise.

Courtesy photo

MARROQUIN


Family and MWR announcements may be found on the portal under “Command Announcements.”

Are you on facebook? Go to our offi cial facebook page, USAG-MIAMI FMWR, and click “LIKE” for information on tickets, trips events!

To be placed on the Family and MWR e-mail list, send your name, phone number and e-mail address to [email protected].

n DAYS OF REMEMBRANCE OBSERVANCE - THURS., MAY 510:30 - 11:30 a.m.CCA Main Conference RoomGuest Speaker: DavidSchaecter, Holocaust survivorDays of Remembrance is the nation’s annual commemoration of the Holocaust. This eventu-ally resulted in the creation of the U.S. Holo-caust Memorial Museum as a permanent living memorial to the victims. This year’s Holocaust remembrance week is May 1–8.

n FAMILY AND MWR MOTHER’S DAY SALE, May 5-6, 10am-4pm, Headquarters’ Courtyard. Take advantage of the discounted prices that the vendors will offer to SOUTHCOM members for this very special occasion. Vendors participating: Things and Occasions Jewelry, Global Export & Import (Middle East Products). Therapeutic Mobile Spa, Stephanie’s Jewelry.

n MILITARY SPOUSE APPRECIATION LUNCHEON - SATURDAY, MAY 14Register for the Spouse Appreciation Luncheon, Saturday, May 14. Join us for lunch, gifts, mini-massages and a delightful time overlooking the Intracoastal and Miami Beach skyline. For more information contact Macarena Schmidt at 305-437-2400, [email protected].

n KEYS 100 MARATHON SATURDAY, MAY 14The event is a 6-person relay race covering 100 miles from Key Largo to Key West. There are at least three teams from SOUTHCOM participating. For SOUTHCOM info. contact, Col. Drew, Cmdr. John Townsend or Maj. Lloyd Hager are some of the team captains. For more information visit www.keys100.com.

n BUS TRIP TO BUSCH GARDENS Sat, May 14. Adults - $79, Children - $69. Deadline to pay, Wed., May 11, close of busi-ness.

n SPRING GOLF TOURNAMENT, Fri, May 27, Inverrary Country Club, Lauderhill. Registration and coffee - 6:45 - 7:30 a.m. , Tee off - 8 a.m., Lunch - 1 p.m., Awards ceremony and prizes will begin immediately after lunch is served. To register or more information, please

contact the ITR offi ce, 305-437-1595. E4, GS-5 equivalent - $25, E-5, -6, -7, GS 6-9 - $30, E-8, 9, 03-05, GS-10-12 Equivalent - $35, 0-6 and above, GS-13 and above - $40, Contractors and guests - $45. Title sponsors: SAIC, Terremark Worldwide, General Dynamics. (The Department of Defense does not endorse the sponsors.)

TICKETS OFFERED BY THE INFORMATION, TICKETS AND REGISTRATION (ITR) OFFICE,305-437-1595 OR 305-437-2400

n ZOO MIAMI (formerly Miami Metro Zoo) tickets now available. Adult: $14, Child: $10. Save up to 18% per person.

n WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT Now through Sep 28 active and retired U.S. military personnel (including current and retired members of the United States Coast Guard, National Guard and Reserves) or their spouses can purchase:

- Disney 4-Day Military Promotional Tickets with Park Hopper Option

for $135 each; Park Hopper and Water Parks Fun and More Options are $162 each

- Disney Military Promotional Tickets (including any options)

expire and may not be used after Oct 1. Disney 4-Day Military

Promotional Tickets for the Walt Disney World Resort may not be used on the

following dates: April 17-23 and July 4.

SPORTS & FITNESS

n COMING SOON - Zumba, Yoga, Spinning, Kick boxing and Tai-chi!

n TRX SUSPENSION TRAINING- Mon. & Wed., 6 p.m. $3 per class. Build functional strength, balance and core stability all at once with this unique training system. Please register with Jill Hauser, [email protected]. Classes will be given by certifi ed TRX trainer Idalia Lopez.

n OPEN PLAY VOLLEYBALL Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12-1 p.m.

n FUNCTIONAL FITNESS 6-7 a.m., 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. and 3-7 p.m., Mon.-Fri. For more information, call the fi tness center at 0123/0124.

n Join the FAMILY AND MWR INDOOR WALKING GROUP. Meets Mon., Wed.

and Fri., at 11:30 a.m. on the indoor track. To join, contact Angie Williams, ext. 0123.

CHILD, YOUTH AND SCHOOL SERVICES: n Register your school-age child now for summer camp, June 13 June through Aug. 19, Kindergarten through 5th grade. Select only the weeks you need! Call the Child Development Center at 305-437-1281,

or 1283, Mon. - Fri., 6 a.m. - 6 p.m.

n We now have our own MASSAGE THERAPIST! 60 minute session - $70, 30 minute session - $35. To schedule your appointment call Russell Protzman 305-951-1286 or 305-887-1719.

AMERICA’S HEROES GOLF PROGRAM

n ATTENTION OEF/OIF vets - Miami-Dade Parks & Rec Dept. offers free golf at selected courses to you.

For more information:

http://www.southcom.mil/usag-miami/sites/mwr/fi les/AmerHeroesGolfProgram.pdf

Or contact Steve Lucius at: 305-829-8456, ext. 228, or [email protected]

Saturday, May 14. Join us for lunch, gifts, mini-massages and a delightful time

covering 100 miles from Key Largo to

- Disney 4-Day Military Promotional Tickets

for $135 each; Park Hopper

Oct 1. Disney 4-Day Military Promotional Tickets for the Walt Disney

Family and MWR

Family & Morale, Welfare and Recreation activities and events

n HAIR THE MUSICAL “Let the Sun Shine In,” June 19, 2 p.m., Broward Center for the Performing Arts. Don’t miss HAIR, the most exuberant musical on stage! HAIR tells the story of a group of friends choosing to speak up and sing out in celebration of love, life and freedom. Mezzanine: $38.


EPOY, from page 1

CJCS spouse debuts ‘Family Forum’ blog

happy that it finally became a reality.”The achievements of the award winners

from the eligibility period – Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2010 – demonstrate that excellence. Among those accomplishments, Master-at-Arms First Class Lukosus, Navy Expe-ditionary Guard Battalion detention camp leading petty officer, led and managed 311 guards in the safe, humane, legal and trans-parent care of more than 120 detainees; completed an apprenticeship program; and volunteered more than 25 hours of off-duty time in support of several organizations in-cluding the Red Cross.

The accolades of Master-at-Arms Second Class Pemberton, NEGB Behavioral Health Unit/Detainee Hospital assistant watch com-mander, included leading 15 guards in the safe, humane, legal and transparent care and custody of the mentally unstable, sick and injured; completing more than 100 hours of military courses outside required rating ma-terial; and volunteering to assist in the Navy fitness testing of more than 600 Sailors.

The two winners are a true representation of the caliber of not only our enlisted corps, but also the men and women who make up

SOUTHCOM.“At times, especially at joint commands

where you have a very diversified work-force, which includes representation from all services, numerous interagency, and ci-vilians, the young enlisted workforce feels unappreciated because they tend to get lost in the shuffle,” said Sgt. Maj. Espinal.

“These recognition programs reinforce the fact that their efforts are indeed appre-ciated and recognized.”

Currently this annual award program is open to every component command, joint task force and military group in the South-ern Command’s area of responsibility. This includes senior (E-6s and E-7s) and junior (E-1s through E-5s) enlisted from Army South, Marine Corps South, Navy South, Air Forces Southern, Joint Interagency Task Force – South, Joint Task Force Bravo, Joint Task Force Guantanamo,MILGRPs

and SOUTHCOM Headquarters. Nominees represent about 3,000 personnel throughout the SOUTHCOM AOR.

“Programs like this boost morale with the enlisted workforce because they are reflec-tive of the appreciation and gratitude of the senior leadership, and it goes a long way when our young warriors are recognized regularly in a public setting by the leader-ship for their many contributions and efforts to the unit,” said Sgt. Maj. Espinal. “We all feel extremely happy that (this annual rec-ognition program) has finally become a re-ality -- I have to thank General Fraser for his blessings and support.”

SOUTHCOM leaders are encouraged to start thinking about, planning and mentor-ing enlisted members for the 2011 awards. Nominations will be due in February 2012. For more information about this award program, please consult with your service-specific enlisted advisor; Sgt. Maj. Eric Geressy, SOUTHCOM senior enlisted leader, at [email protected]; Sgt. 1st Class Ronald Garcia, SOUTH-COM HQ senior enlisted advisor execu-tive officer, at [email protected], or Sgt. Maj. Espinal at [email protected].

“We all feel extremely happy that (this annual recognition

program) has finally become a reality ...”

Command Sgt. Maj. Luis Espinal

Deborah Mullen, a Navy wife and military family advo-cate, is married to Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Her blog can be found at: http://afps.dodlive.mil/2011/05/03/family-forum-supporting-military-families-year-round

During the Month of the Mili-tary Child in April, there were picnics, parades, fairs and festi-vals across the country — all to honor military children for their special contributions.

There is no issue nearer or dearer to my heart than rein-forcing to our military children that they are, indeed, a key part of the military community and how equally important it is to recognize the sacrifices they make every day.

It’s one thing to be a military child during peacetime, quite an-

other during a time of war. Every day, these young ones shoulder worry, stress and responsibil-ity far beyond their years while mom or dad is deployed. It’s not just the missed birthdays, or helping mom with extra chores that dad would normally do. It’s the fear that their world can crumble at a moment’s notice.

When their parent comes home, the stress and challenges don’t necessarily disappear. It’s a safe bet dad didn’t return quite the same guy he was when he left. He, too, may have emotional and even physical challenges to face. And he, too, may be afraid … and perhaps even afraid to admit it.

Many of these kids have known only war … only worry.

Dealing with these things months and years on end, de-mands resilience and toughness – qualities innate to military

children and something most are particularly proud of to be sure.

I can personally attest to the inner strength military families develop through deployments, frequent moves and new cultural experiences. There is, of course, much to love about a military life and a lot to value about the richness and diversity it brings.

As I meet with military fami-lies across the country, it is clear to me that a decade of war in Iraq and Afghanistan has challenged them, stretched them, and tested their resilience and strength in unprecedented ways.

That reality isn’t always readi-ly seen or understood by the rest of America.

My husband speaks frequently on this topic. He notes that to-day, less than one percent of our population serves in uniform.

We are concerned that people who used to have day-to-day

connections with military men and women and their families may not know much about them anymore, so they are simply un-aware of the stress and challeng-es these families face — a situa-tion compounded by the fact that most military families bear their burdens quietly.

It is evident to me that people care and want to help. Often, they just don’t know what to do.

That’s why May’s Military Ap-preciation Month is an important efforts to help us get moving in the right direction.

Our military men and women and their families do so much and sacrifice so much to take care of America. This is about doing everything we can to — together — take care of them … not just in May but year round.

-- You also can follow her on Twitter and Facebook.


Around the Americas

CONTINUINGPROMISEKINGSTON, Jamaica -- U.S. Marine Corps. Sgt. Peter Swigart from Maumee, Ohio plays soc-cer with a Kingston boy at Trenchtown Primary School in Kingston, Ja-maica as part of Continu-ing Promise 2011. This is a five-month humani-tarian assistance mission to the Caribbean, Central and South America.

Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Eric C. Tretter

Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Steve SmithATLANTIC OCEAN -- The guided-missile destroyer USS Nitze (DDG 94) participates in a live-fire flare exercise during the Atlantic phase of UNITAS 52. Nitze, a U.S. Coast Guard cutter, and Brazilian and Mexican navy ships opened fire at a falling flare while underway in formation.

UNITAS 2011

Sgt. 1st Class Paul Meeker, Task Force Bon Voizen Public AffairsGONAIVES - Florida Guardsmen, Sgt. Thomas Mealor and Sgt. 1st Class Stephen Strickland, Task Force Bon Voizen, 869th Engineer Company, check dimensions for a wall layout on the school house slab at Upper Poteau. New Horizons Haiti 2011 – Task Force Bon Voizen is a U.S. Southern Command-sponsored exercise under the command of the Louisiana National Guard from April 28 and June 25 in the Artibonite Department.

NEW HORIZONS - HAITI


MC2 Eric TretterContinuing Promise 2011 Public Affairs

PAITA, Peru -- Military Sealift Com-mand hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) arrived in Paita, Peru, for her second stop of Continuing Promise 2011 (CP11) April 30.

Following Comfort’s initial humanitar-ian assistance visit in Kingston, Jamaica, the ship’s crew of military and non-gov-ernmental organization doctors and nurs-es now face more diverse conditions and a language barrier in a different country, continent and hemisphere.

“One of the things we need to be aware of is every country we go to, you want to look at life from the perspective of patients that we’re seeing,” said Capt. William Todd, director for surgical services. “We need to take the time out from the job that we’re doing here to try and enjoy their life from their perspective; and it only takes a couple of minutes per patient to do that.”

Comfort’s deployment to the region ex-emplifies the U.S. commitment to coopera-tive partnerships in the Caribbean, Central and South America.

Comfort’s hospital, the Medical Treat-ment Facility (MTF), is configured with specialized medical teams of military and civilian health care providers. These care-givers provide a range of services ashore, as well as on board the ship for approxi-mately 250 patients.

Combined with the overall medical screenings comes regional and area-spe-cific ailments that team Comfort can ex-pect to encounter while in Peru.

“It’s really the diseases of poverty that we see here; like everywhere else,” said Capt. Gregory Martin, who spent three years stationed at a Navy lab in Lima, Peru. “There’s a lot of chronic skin dis-ease, mild malnutrition, infection diseas-es, respiratory ailments … it’s also so hot and sunny here that a lot of people devel-op pterygium, an eye condition common among peoples living near the equator.”

Helping to bridge the language barrier between CP11 staff and patients is a team of 12 U.S. Air Force and Navy linguists, who are serving as interpreters for the fi-nal eight countries of the mission.

Along with providing translators for the variety of medical and civil service teams, the linguists have translated medical docu-ments and command information packets, and have welcomed Peruvian dignitaries, doctors and media.

“Translating a document takes time, it’s not just five or ten minutes, it takes hours,” said Information Systems Technician 2nd Class Manuel Guzman.

Aside from medical capabilities, U.S. Navy Seabees and Marines from Navy Mobile Construction Battalion 26 will continue CP11’s work during civic projects where they will revamp and repair schools throughout the community.

USNS Comfort arrives in Peru as part of Continuing Promise

U.S. Navy photoPAITA, Peru - The Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) anchored off Paita, Peru.

By MC1 (SW) Steve SmithSouthern Seas 2011 Public Affairs

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil -- U.S. Navy and Coast Guard ships, along with their South American partners, prepared for the second half of the Atlantic phase of UNI-TAS 52 May 1, while in Rio de Janeiro.

Sailors and Coast Guardsmen from guided-missile destroyer Nitze (DDG 94), guided-missile frigates USS Thach (FFG 43) and USS Boone (FFG 28), and USCGC cutter Escanaba (WMEC 907), attended training alongside their Brazilian, Mexi-can and Argentinian counterparts.

“These sessions allowed the team the opportunity to clearly understand the ex-ercise design and answer any safety ques-tions related to the complex events ahead,” said Capt. Marc Weeks, commander, Task Group 138.0. “It also allows participants to cover any shortfalls or concerns about the exercise before the ships return to sea.”

In addition, each country hosted a recep-tion during which their respective navies were able to showcase their ships, crews and customs in a social environment.

“These events were the highlight of our stay in Rio de Janei-ro,” said Weeks. “The receptions enabled the re-establishment of old friendships, the development of new individual friendships, and it was a venue for each participating Navy to showcase their individual honors, customs and traditions.”

Sailors also gathered for a day of soccer, tug-of-war and other friendly competitions during a sporting events day.

The six-day stop in Rio de Janeiro was the midway point of the three-week exer-cise, which runs April 15-May 9.

The ships will spend seven days at sea for the final portion of the exercise. The Atlantic phase will end with a community relations project, wreath laying memorial ceremony and closing ceremony, in Rio Grande, Brazil.

UNITAS troops ready for second half of exercise

WEEKS


Sgt. 1st Class Alex Licea / Special Operations Command South Public AffairsHOMESTEAD, FLA. -- Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael Watson took children on a military All-terrain vechile ride during the Special Operations Command South hosted “Take your Child to Work Day” at Homestead Air Reserve Base, April 28. SOCSOUTH had several activities such as a weapons and parachute display, face painting station and several static displays of military hardware.

TAKE YOUR CHILD TO WORK DAY

Local focus

Raymond Sarracino / U.S. Southern Command Public AffairsMIAMI -- SOUTHCOM command chaplain, Capt. Ronnie King, (second from right) joined with Congress-woman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and representatives from the Association of Flight Attendants, Lufthansa, Krispy Kreme and local veterans to pack 550-dozen glazed doughnuts for shipment to wounded and ill U.S. servicemembers at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany, Wed., April 20.

A TASTEFUL TREAT FOR WOUNDED WARRIORS OVERSEAS

Spec. Jason Edwards / U.S. Southern CommandMIAMI -- U.S. Congressional Representative David Rivera, (25th District), left, walks with U.S. Army Garrison - Miami manager Audy Snodgrass, who described the operations of the Welcome Center during a tour of the SOUTHCOM campus, April 29.

CONGRESSIONAL VISIT

Photo by Joel Herard, U.S. Army Garrison-MiamiMIAMI -- Gen. Douglas Fraser addresses com-mand staff during an All Hands meeting 25.Fraser summarized command accomplishments from the last three months and discussed upcom-ing training exercises and budget issues.

COMMANDER’S CALL

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