SOTO CANO AVIATION BASE, HONDURAS – Joint Task Force – Bravo received a unique request during the U.S. Southern Command’s Health Engagements Assistance Response Team HEART 2022 mission to partner with medical professionals from partner countries to provide surgical and medical services to communities in Guatemala and Honduras.
The request was to come to Olancho, Honduras to perform similar medical services that were provided on a smaller scale during HEART 22. The last time JTF-Bravo was able to come to Olancho, Honduras was in 2017.
After careful planning and coordination with local partners Ciudad Mujer and Copeco, our team completed a week-long medical assignment from January 9 – 12, 2023.
“The purpose of our visit was to provide real, tangible assistance to local communities in need of medical attention,” said US Army COL Phillip Brown, commander of Joint Task Force – Bravo. “The success of this mission came from our service personnel who executed this mission with precision and excellence, along with our Honduran teammates at every stage.”
To have a lasting impact, a medical site was opened in Jutiquile, Olancho for two days and another site in Mamisaca, Olancho for one day. With the two medical sites remaining operational for a week, a surgical team performed hernia operations at San Francisco Hospital in Juticalpa for four days.
The JTF-Bravo medical detachment provided multiple services to improve the quality of life of those who visited our medical sites, including an on-site pharmacy to receive essential medications and vitamins. Other services provided included dentistry to perform dental checks and tooth extractions, psychological services for those in need and a preventative medical team to test local water supplies and catch insects to check for infectious diseases.
With partners Ciudad Mujer, a section dedicated to the USSOUTHCOM Women Peace and Security initiative was available. This initiative recognizes the importance of women in our society and the challenges faced by women in society, such as sexual assault, domestic violence, and how everyone can help make a difference.
The site received local and community attention and was visited by government officials, including the governor of Olancho and Honduran Defense Minister Jose Manuel Zelaya Roasales.
U.S. Army BG Michael Pyle, Deputy Commander of 807th Deployment Support, and COL Phillip Brown, Joint Task Force Bravo Commander, accompanied and discussed the importance of maintaining the enduring partnership between Honduras and the United States and visit the site to see what our service members are in action.
“It is amazing to see our soldiers working with the Honduran military and government for the betterment of Honduras,” said BG Michael Pyle. work with local organizations to further that goal.”
While our service workers were active this week, some site visitors in Mamisaca shared that people sometimes have to walk an hour to get basic medical services.
Local community members were grateful for the care they received and expressed their gratitude to service members and local organizations for providing the care they needed.
As SOUTHCOM’s forward operating Joint Task Force, JTF-Bravo has worked with allies and partners in the region for nearly 40 years to create new partnerships and seize every opportunity to provide rapid support and humanitarian assistance. By working together on medical assignments, JTF-Bravo strengthens relationships and supports the well-being of communities together.