5th CES Airmen, Seabees upgrade Socorro Sanchez school

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic -- Airman 1st Class Pasha Hughes, 5th Civil Engineer Squadron engineer assistant apprentice currently embarked aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), drills a screw into a bench at Soccoro Sanchez Primary School during the humanitarian/civic assistance mission Continuing Promise 2008. Airmen from the 5th CES and Navy engineers are working together to repair and improve the school in support of CP 2008. CP 2008 is a collaborative effort between the United States and partner militaries, non-governmental organizations, and partner-nation support organizations to build strong partnerships that can be called upon in the event of a regional situation requiring cooperative solutions.(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class William S. Parker)

5th CES Airmen, Seabees upgrade Socorro Sanchez school

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic -- Airmen from the 5th Civil Engineer Squadron Prime Base Engineer Emergency Force and Navy Seabees,currently embarked aboard USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), take a break and join Dominican children in a game of baseball at Soccoro Sanchez Primary School. Airmen from the 5th CES and Navy engineers are working together to repair and improve the school in support of the humanitarian/civic assistance mission Continuing Promise (CP) 2008. CP 2008 is a collaborative effort between the United States and partner militaries, non-governmental organizations, and partner-nation support organizations to build strong partnerships that can be called upon in the event of a regional situation requiring cooperative solutions. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Ernest Scott)

5th CES Airmen, Seabees upgrade Socorro Sanchez school

Published Oct. 29, 2008
By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Maddelin Angebrand
Continuing Promise Public Affairs

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic -- Airmen from the 5th Civil Engineer Squadron Prime Base Engineer Emergency Force and Navy Seabees, currently embarked aboard USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), are making improvements to the Socorro Sanchez School here as part of the humanitarian/civic assistance mission Continuing Promise 2008.

The existing school, which services 600 students, kindergarten through fourth grade, is in need of more storage space, new book shelves and a cafeteria.

"We want to provide a serving area for the school, and also upgrade some of the electrical outlets," said Chief Equipment Operator Jerry Greer, on-site project leader. "They also have a problem with wood ants, so we are replacing wood shelving with metal. This will also save some of the books that were being damaged by the pests."

The school's existing electrical backup system has been depending on six car batteries for power and was in desperate need of an upgrade.

"We're trying to change out a lot of the receptacles that aren't working, and we're also replacing the battery backup system they were using for a computer power supply," said Airman 1st Class Nicholas Varner, 5th CES electrical systems journeyman. "Now, when the commercial power goes out they'll have a more reliable system compared to what they currently depend on."

The project not only requires skilled engineers, but also a team effort from Sailors and Airman working side-by-side to complete the project within the two-week timeline.

"Working with the Air Force is a great opportunity; it's a learning experience seeing how they do things compared to us," said Greer. "That's something that makes us a strong team - working together to get the job done."

Kearsarge's mission exemplifies the U.S.' maritime strategy, which emphasizes deploying forces to build confidence and trust among nations through collective maritime security efforts that focus on common threats and mutual interests.

The CP Caribbean Phase is the second of two missions to the Southern Command area of responsibility for 2008. The first mission was conducted by USS Boxer (LHD 4) in the Pacific.

For more news on CP, log on to SOUTHCOM's Web site at www.southcom.mil.