USS Doyle Conducts Military-to-Military Events, COMREL Projects In Honduras

With an eventful schedule that spanned a five day period, crewmembers of the guided-missile frigate USS Doyle (FFG 39) experienced professional exchanges with the Honduran military, a Community Relations (COMREL) project, military ceremonies, a soccer game, tours and enjoyed liberty at the Honduran Carnival during the visit.

Throughout the visit, Doyle Sailors participated in military-to-military events involving damage control and Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) exercises with the participating Honduran Military, as well as Deck Landing Qualifications (DLQs) with the U.S. Army.

Master at Arms 1st Class Robert Green, chief master at arms on board the guided missile frigate USS Doyle (FFG 39), hugs a Honduran La Fraternidad school boy during a community relations project. Green said he loved spending time with the children and it reminded him of being at home with his own kids. Doyle is one of the first Navy warships to visit La Ceiba in many years. Doyle is deployed as part of Southern Seas 2009. Doyle will work with partner nations to enforce maritime security and interoperability in the 4th Fleet Area of Operations . MCSN Patrick Grieco

"These exercises benefit our mission by establishing a learning environment with the Honduran Navy in damage control techniques for both our Sailors and the foreign military," said Lt. j.g. Geoff Hensley, Doyle's Damage Control Assistant. "There are differences and similarities in a few of our techniques but our goals and duties are the same. We have learned a lot from them and we were very fortunate to have done this."

One of the Honduran Officers, Lt. j. g. Hector Castellanos commented on the differences seen during the damage control training.

"We benefited from this training. The basic ideas are the same, but we do a few things differently," said Castellanos. "The SCBA demonstration was interesting as we don't use bottles but masks that filter the air. This has given us a new perspective on principles we can use for our own military."

Along with military training events, Doyle Sailors received local media coverage during a tour given to Honduran Officials, including Andrea Brouillette-Rodriguez, the Political Counselor of the US Embassy; the Honduran Governor Ilsa Lorena Torres; the Mayor Joes Milton Simon Gonzalez, and a number of distinguished guests from both the U.S. the Honduran military.

Ensign Jeremy Linton, assigned to Destroyer Squadron Four-Zero (DESRON 40), lifts up a young boy at the La Fraternidad school during a community relatinos project conducted by the guided missile frigate USS Doyle (FFG 39). Doyle is one of the first Navy warships to visit La Ceiba in many years. Doyle and DESRON 40 are deployed as part of the Southern Seas 2009. Doyle and DESRON 40 will work with partner nations to enforce maritime security and interoperability in the 4th Fleet Area of Operations . MCSN Patrick Grieco

After a successful tour of the ship and luncheon, both guests and Doyle's Commanding Officer, Cmdr John M. Zuzich, departed for a Project Handclasp Ceremony at the Academia Militar, a local Military Academy which was constructed in 2002. Similar to the U.S. military academies, the school focuses on training successful officers for the Honduran military.

"We share many common interests including our focus on COMREL and Project Handclasp," said Zuzich. "We need cooperative solutions for lasting partnerships and COMREL projects emphasize this. We are fortunate to have a strong relationship with Honduras."

The COMREL project in Honduras was located at a small two-room school, La Fraternidad, with an enrollment of about 200 students. Using volunteers from Doyle and the Honduran military, the project focused on repainting the entire building, making needed repairs, and supplying the students with medical and hygiene products.

Amongst the whirlwind of events, Doyle Sailors experienced the colorful lifestyle of local Honduras through Carnival, which occurs during the last weeks of May in La Ceiba. Hondurans travel from miles around to participate in the annual festival, which brings approximately 400,000 Hondurans to La Ceiba. Indulging in the local food, parades and music that Honduras had to offer, U.S. Sailors mingled with the local community and experienced the true taste of Honduran culture.

"The festival was amazing. The food here is incredible and the people are extremely hospitable," said Doyle's Cryptologic Technician 2nd Class Brandon Crabtree. "This is the first time in over 20 years that the U.S. Navy has made a visit to La Ceiba and I definitely think it was a positive one. Not only did we have a good time during liberty, but we also benefited from building a stronger relationship with the Honduran community."

The five-day visit in Honduras was the second port visited for Doyle's Southern Seas Deployment. Although busy, the visit signified the vibrant relationship between Honduras and the United States. Southern Seas is part of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM)'s Partnership of the America strategy, and focuses on strengthening relationships in the SOUTHCOM region. This year's deployment includes Doyle, USS Kauffman (FFG 59, and USS Ford (FFG 54), with Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 40 as the Command Element.