The humanitarian exercise "New Horizons Haiti-2010" was launched on June 15, 2010 in the town of Mandrin to Savane Désolée, near Gonaives. A U.S. government initiative designed to provide medical assistance, and build schools. 550 military has carried out work under the project "Kout Men" in the department of Artibonite chosen in collaboration with the Haitian government and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). This mission was successfully completed Wednesday, September 15, 2010.

Was present at the closing ceremony the Ambassador of the United States of America in Haiti, Kenneth Merten, Major General Simeon Trombitas, commander of U.S. Army South, and Col. Michael Borrel, mission commander Kout Men. The American Ambassador Kenneth Merten said, "The good works carried out by the men and the women of New Horizons - Haiti 2010 represent part of the long-term engagement of the United States for the people and the government Haitian and we will continue to work with you to face the problems which you identify so that you can carry out your vision of a better future"

For his part, Colonel Borrell said he was "very proud of the work done by members of the National Guard, by our soldiers, airmen and by our sailors" underlining the projects carried out during the last four months by the National guard of Louisiana, the Defense force of Belize, the U.S. Navy Seabees, department of communication of the American army, the reserve army of the United States, American marine and medical personnel of the American air forces, and soldiers of the National guard of more than 10 states and territories.

Projects included: building a school with three rooms that can accommodate 350 students from Mandrin, the strengthening of the Lycée Louis Diaquoi and School of Ka Georges [both Gonaives], and rehabilitation of Desronvilles school that was almost entirely destroyed by fire. The Army engineers and Navy Seabees that have also widened and improved water wells at six sites, conducted a football field and closed the yards of several schools, to enhance student safety. In three sites, engineers have used the construction Nuform Building Systems, which is to mount solid concrete walls and metal roofs. The Nuform system can withstand gusts cyclone and hurricanes.

In collaboration with the Haitian Ministry of Public Health and Population, groups of "Medical Readiness" (MEDRETE) have provided medical, dental and optometry (base care) to more than 70,000 Haitian patients during 10 missions in the department Artibonite, the surrounding cities of Gonaives, Saint-Marc, L'Estère, Poteau and Ennery. During several missions MEDRETE, veterinary care was provided to farm animals.

"The hard work of members of the members of Task force Kout Men provided tangible assistances of maintenance of the life to the Haitian population" said Maj. Gen. Simeon Trombitas. "That also ensured a durable heritage and the base of our durable partnership with Haiti".

The Louisiana National Guard is preparing once again to take command of the next mission New Horizons - Haiti in 2011. The experience gained during this first mission in Haiti has opened the door to developing an ongoing partnership between the National Guard of Louisiana, the Haitian people and government of Haiti.

HL/ HaitiLibre