New Horizons 2012

TAMBO DE MORA, Peru- Members of the New Horizons task force stand in formation and salute during the playing of the National Anthem at the opening ceremony at the Tambo de Mora site June 5. The joint forces came together along with the Peruvian military to celebrate the launch of New Horizons Peru 2012. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Melissa Dearstone)

New Horizons 2012

TAMBO DE MORA, Peru- The Peruvian Air Force salutes while singing the Peruvian National Anthem at the opening ceremony at the Tambo de Mora construction site June 5. The Peruvian Air Force is helping the New Horizons task force build the three construction sites in the Ica region. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Melissa Dearstone)

New Horizons 2012

TAMBO DE MORA, Peru- The Ambassador, Ministry of Defense, Regional President and Mayor of Tambo de Mora each spoke at the opening ceremony at the Tambo de Mora construction site June 5. They welcomed and thanked the U.S. troops that were here to help the community and shared what a wonderful opportunity New Horizons is giving the country of Peru. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Melissa Dearstone)

New Horizons Peru 2012 brings a new beginning

Published June 8, 2012
By Senior Airman Melissa Dearstone
New Horizons Peru 2012 Public Affairs

TAMBO DE MORA, Peru -- New Horizons Peru 2012 officially started with an opening ceremony featuring senior leaders from both the Peruvian and United States governments at the Tambo de Mora construction site June 5.

The Peruvian and U.S governments are working together to bring New Horizons to the Ica and Huancavelica regions of Peru. About 500 U.S. military doctors, engineers and support staff will take part in this exercise.

"New Horizons gives us the opportunity to not only work with our sister services, but also with the Peruvian military," said Captain Nick Anderson, deputy commander for the Engineer Task Force New Horizons. "It is a chance for us to learn from one another while we build communities and friendships."

Service members participating in New Horizons 2012 will be giving free medical care to more than 30,000 patients in 12 different locations, perform approximately 200 surgeries and building three new structures for community use, in addition to enhancing international disaster response capabilities and cooperation.

"Even though these efforts serve and benefit the Peruvian regions, our U.S. military personnel take away so much from the experiences here in Peru," said Col. Douglas Hardman, 823rd Red Horse Squadron commander. "With the New Horizons effort, we will strengthen our relationship between Peru and the United States."

New Horizons began in the mid-1980's and since then, Airmen and members of other services working under U.S. Southern Command have built schools, community centers, provided medical care and much more in efforts to form everlasting friendships between the United States and the Latin American and Caribbean nations.

The program's principal objective is to promote bilateral cooperation, interoperability and joint disaster response capabilities by providing real opportunities for U.S. and partner nation military engineers, medical personnel and support staff to work and train side-by-side.