MANDRIN, Haiti, - The Louisiana National Guard held an opening ceremony for Task Force Kout Men here today.
Kout Men means "Helping Hand" and denotes the spirit and hope that the mission brings to the people of Haiti.
Guardsmen and reservists from at least nine states will construct and repair classrooms, build latrines and make improvements to water wells in Lycee Louis Diaquoi, Ecole Nationale de Desronville, Ecole Nationale de Mandrin, and Ecole Nationale K. Georges, said Army Col. Michael Borrel, the task force commander.
He added that medical readiness training in Nan Poteau, Ennery, Pont de l'Estere, Saint-Marc and Gonaives will be conducted in partnership with Haitian doctors.
Haiti was devastated by an earthquake in January and continues to rebuild some of its critical infrastructure.
In the upcoming months, rotational military personnel from National Guards units in Louisiana, Arkansas, Oregon, the Virgin Islands, Montana, Missouri, Texas, South Dakota and Indiana will participate in New Horizons Haiti.
Members with the Army Reserves, U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force and the Belize Defence Force will also support the exercise.
“Louisiana and Haiti have long been associated with each other through their history and culture," said Borrel. “We hope that this exercise will strengthen those ties."