COMAYAUA, Honduras –
Brig. Gen. Irene Zoppi, director of U.S. Army South Army Reserve Engagement Cell, was invited to witness a full surgical process at Santa Teresa Community Hospital in Comayagua, Honduras, Sept. 24-26. The medical element team conducts surgical readiness training exercises for the local community.
"I was thoroughly impressed with the manner of the care and professionalism from both the U.S. Army Reserve medical personnel and the Santa Teresa medical staff during my visit," Zoppi said.
During her visit, she also conducted an engagement with the Joint Task Force-Bravo Civil Affairs Planning Team. The general discussed the vitality of having U.S. Army Civil Affairs forces operating in Honduras, and approved the recommendation of changing Civil Affairs Army Reserve force structure to a doctrinal level. The recommended change would request a Civil Affairs Army Reserve Company, which would better suit the requirements necessary to support JTF-B operations and build complete readiness for supporting units.
The U.S. Army Reserve capabilities that support the JTF-B missions continue to be a vital factor in ensuring that the U.S. retains its status of being the partner of choice within the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility, as other countries, friendly or adversarial, strive to gain a foothold in the Latin American countries.