Operation Continuing Promise is a periodic series of US military exercises conducted under the direction of United States Southern Command. Designated by Roman numeral (“Continuing Promise I” was in 2007), or by year (“Continuing Promise 2009”); they provide medical, dental and veterinary aid to people in Latin America.[1]
The two American hospital ships, USNS Comfort and USNS Mercy as well as other units participate in Continuing Promise to train their crews as well as supplemental personnel from the other branches of service and volunteer civilian organizations.