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Military Group

The mission of the United States Military Group in Guatemala is to support the Ambassador's goals and objectives working through the Commander in Chief of the U.S. Southern Command to the U.S. Department of Defense.

Objectives:

  • Support U.S. Embassy efforts to enhance host country military professionalism.
  • Support U.S. Embassy efforts to enhance regional cooperation, working with the region's militaries, non-governmental organizations, and multi-national agencies.
  • Reinforce the role of the military in a democracy with respect to the rule of law.
  • Develop, implement, and support programs that encourage leadership in and commitment to multilateral peacekeeping activities in concert with U.S. and United Nations goals.
  • Develop a base of interoperability between the Guatemalan Army and U.S. Armed Forces.
  • When authorized by the U.S. Congress, develop and implement Department of Defense security assistance programs.
  • Maintain an open, professional dialogue with the senior leadership of the Guatemalan Army.

The U.S. Military Group supports other agencies within the U.S. Embassy in counter-drug efforts; coordinates search and rescue support for U.S. military activities in the region; coordinates emergency disaster relief support; and conducts humanitarian and civic assistance exercises in different regions of Guatemala.



MILITARY GROUP NEWS

High Speed Vessel SWIFT

Global Fleet Station Completes Guatemalan Training, Hosts U.S. Ambassador.  In preparation for completion of training in Puerto Barrios August 17, the pilot Global Fleet Station (GFS) hosted a reception for distinguished visitors aboard High Speed Vessel (HSV) 2 Swift. U.S. Ambassador to Guatemala James Derham and several high ranking officials of the Guatemalan government including Major Gen. Alberto Aguilar Braun, Chief of Defense visited Comfort on August 16.

• More Photos of SWIFT Visit to Guatemala



USS Pearl Harbor

USS Pearl Harbor Departs Puerto Quetzal.  USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) departed Puerto Quetzal July 28, after participating in theater security cooperation activities including a community relations project and other events ashore in support of Partnership of the Americas (POA) 2007 deployment. During the port visit, Sailors contributed in a community relations project in which they constructed a new concrete roof over a second story meeting room for Calvary Chapel in Guatemala City.



U.S. Navy Hospital Ship Comfort

United States Navy
Hospital Ship Comfort

USNS Comfort Completes Humanitarian Work in Guatemala

The USNS Comfort set sail on Monday, July 2, en route to Panama to continue its humanitarian assistance mission throughout Latin America. While in Guatemala, USNS Comfort medical staff assisted 14,526 patients on shore and 1,600 at its facilities on board. They also imparted 224 classes to 6,927 alumni, and provided 668 veterinary services. An estimated  $11,200 were used by technical personnel for equipment repairs in Guatemalan clinics.

One of the most moving stories for the ship's medical staff was that of Elvira Cab, a Guatemalan woman and her son-in-law who walked almost five miles, traveled nearly six hours by truck and spent four nights in a hotel on a trip to the National Hospital in Puerto Barrios so she could undergo surgery June 28 aboard the U.S. Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20). (see full story)