Nicaragua honors U.S. service members for hurricane relief

Courtesy Photo | Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega greets Army Capt. Jon-Paul Lavandeira, left, and Lt. Col. Gregory Jicha, both assigned to Joint Task Force-Bravo at Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, after the soldiers' arrival at a small airfield Sept. 5. The Army officers were part of a 13-person task force that deployed to Nicaragua to assess damage resulting from the storm. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Sonny Cohrs)  

MANAGUA, NICARAGUA

12.04.2007

Courtesy Story

U.S. Southern Command

MANAGUA, Nicaragua - Nicaragua's Army recognized nine U.S. service members Nov. 27 for their contributions to disaster relief operations in support of victims affected by Hurricane Felix in September.

Maj. Gen. Omar Halleslevens, chief of the Nicaraguan Army, presented the "Soldier of the Nation" Honor Medal for Military Merit to Lt. Col. Robert Gaddis, Commander of the U.S. Military Group at the U.S. Embassy, during a symbolic ceremony in the country's capital, where Gaddis received the medal on behalf of the soldiers, airmen and sailors recognized.

According to the Nicaraguan Army, the medal is awarded to military forces of friendly nations, organizations and international missions who stand out in the establishment of cooperation or have contributed to strengthening the combat, operational or special capabilities of the Nicaraguan Army.

While presenting the medal to Gaddis, Halleslevens acknowledged the U.S.
government for sending the largest amount of hurricane relief to Nicaragua following the storm.

The Nicaraguan general stated U.S. military aid, directed by U.S. Southern Command, arrived in Nicaragua immediately after the devastating hurricane, playing a crucial role in saving lives and delivering relief to thousands of affected civilians.

U.S. military support to Felix relief efforts began Sept. 5, following a request for international assistance from the government of Nicaragua and a disaster declaration by the U.S. Ambassador.

From Sept. 5-18, military helicopters from USS Wasp (LHD 1), USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG 58), and Joint Task Force-Bravo flew 173 sorties and delivered 490,000 pounds of humanitarian aid to communities affected by the storm along Nicaragua's northeast coast.

Since October 2005, SOUTHCOM has supported a dozen humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions in nine nations affected by natural disasters in the Caribbean, Central and South America.

• Date Taken: 12.04.2007
• Date Posted: 12.04.2007 18:06
• Story ID: 14432
• Location: MANAGUA, NI