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"Helping Latin America & the Caribbean: OPERATON UNIFIED RESPONSE Haiti & Other Humanitarian Efforts"
CAPT Al Collins
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Planned Remarks:
CAPT Al Collins, USN, Chief of Staff for U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and U.S. Fourth Fleet, will discuss the U.S. Navy’s role in Haiti earthquake relief efforts as well as the remarkable humanitarian civic assistance mission called Continuing Promise.
On 12 January, Haiti suffered a catastrophic earthquake. The magnitude 7 quake killed over 200,000 Haitians and crippled country’s economy. Ships of the U.S. Navy’s Fourth Fleet were among the first on the scene. This initial response was followed by one of the hemisphere’s largest relief efforts. U.S. Navy contributions included aircraft carriers, amphibious assault ships, salvage vessels and a hospital ship. At the peak of relief operations, 17 ships and over 10,000 sailors were involved in the effort.
In addition to Haiti relief efforts, the U.S. government also will conduct Continuing Promise this year. Established in 2007, this humanitarian program is an annual, four-month, civic assistance operation supported by U.S. and international military medical personnel, U.S. government agencies, regional health ministries, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and U.S. academic institutions. U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and U.S. Fourth Fleet are the main planning and coordination commands for the Continuing Promise mission. Since its inception, Continuing Promise has treated nearly a quarter million patients and conducted dozens of civic assistance projects.
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Speaker's Biography:
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| Capt. Alfred Collins, USN
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Rear Admiral Victor G. Guillory, Commander of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and U.S. Fourth Fleet, has been called away on official business. His Chief of Staff, CAPT Al Collins, USN, has graciously agreed to stand-in for RADM Guillory for this program.
Collins was born in Warner Robins, GA, to the Reverend and Mrs. Nehemiah Collins Sr. He enlisted in the Navy in 1972 and advanced through the rank of Operation Specialist Chief Petty Officer before becoming a commissioned officer. He achieved his education during off duty hours at the University of South Alabama, National University and the University of California, San Diego. He holds a Masters degree in National Resource Strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.
Sea assignments include: Combat Systems Division Officer, USS PEGASUS (PHM 1); Combat Information Center (CIC) Officer, USS TRUXTUN (CGN 35); Operations Officer, USS ENGLAND (CG 16); Commanding Officer, USS GLADIATOR (MCM 11); Commanding Officer USS ARDENT (MCM 12); Commanding Officer, USS FITZGERALD (DDG 62); Commander, Destroyer Squadron One.
Shore assignments include: Test Director, Navy Tactical Interoperability Support Activity; Branch Head, Navy Compensation and Policy Coordination Division; Flag Secretary and Executive Assistant (EA) to Commander, Naval Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet; Chief, Network Operations Division, Operations Directorate (J-3), Joint Staff; Student, Industrial College of the Armed Forces (ICAF); Senior Fellow, Chief of Naval Operations, Strategic Studies Group; Chief of Staff, U.S. Fourth Fleet (current assignment).
Personal decorations include the Legion of Merit, Joint Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Meritorious Service Medal with two gold stars, Navy Commendation Medal with three gold stars, Navy Achievement Medal with three gold stars, and the Navy Good Conduct Medal with two bronze stars.
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World Affairs Council of the Florida Palm Beaches
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