U.S. Ambassador to Guatemala Todd D. Robinson visited the Continuing Promise 2017 (CP-17) base camp and medical site, Feb. 9, in support of CP-17's visit to Puerto Barrios, Guatemala.

During his visit, Robinson toured the mission's base camp with Capt. Errin Armstrong, mission commander for CP-17. The group made stops at the operations center, gym, shower tents, and the mobile kitchen trailers used on site to prepare fresh meals for the 145 service members who reside in what is known as "tent city."

Robinson toured the CP-17 medical site with Lt. Cmdr. Robert Lennon, CP-17's medical officer in charge, where he took pictures with U.S. and Guatemalan service members, host nation residents, and answered questions from the media about the mission.

"Operation Continuing Promise is a commitment between the government of Guatemala, the Guatemalan people, and the U.S. government to maintain relationships and to work together to assist those less fortunate with medical care," said Robinson.

Robinson spoke of the positive, tangible impacts the past five visits accomplished and offered projected medical successes for this year's stop in Guatemala.

"Since 2007, Operation Continuing Promise has assisted over 36,500 Guatemalans, not including this operation," said Robinson. "Since Continuing Promise 2017 began, the medical mission has assisted over 4,000 patients and is projected to assist over 6,000 Guatemalans."

Robinson asked reporters to take note of the diversity present in the U.S. military, emphasizing its importance to sustaining the mission.

"Among the Soldiers and Sailors who have been a part of Continuing Promise, you see men and women of various ethnicities and backgrounds reflecting the rich diversity of the United States; all of them working together to support Guatemala, committed to help those in need," said Robinson.

The mission is scheduled to make stops in Honduras and Colombia after Guatemala.

CP-17 is a U.S. Southern Command-sponsored and U.S. 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 U.S. support and commitment to Central and South America.

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