Coast Guard provides humanitarian assistance to Honduras after Hurricane Eta

A Coast Guard Helicopter Tactical Squadron (HITRON) MH-65 Dolphin aircrew forward deployed aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Seneca assist Hondurans near Puerto Lempira, Honduras, by providing urgent search and rescue and redistribution of relief aid Nov. 13 © U.S. Coast Guard

A Coast Guard Helicopter Tactical Squadron (HITRON) MH-65 Dolphin aircrew forward deployed aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Seneca (WMEC-906) provided humanitarian assistance, Friday, to Honduran villages after Hurricane Eta impacted the country.

The HITRON aircrew and Seneca crew medevaced multiple people and redistributed relief aid across the hurricane impacted area as needed.

"I am very thankful to have been able to assist in the medevac and rescue efforts following the wake of Hurricane Eta in Honduras," said Petty Officer 1st Class James Mann, a HITRON flight mechanic. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Honduran people and our fellow service members continuing to help them rebuild. We wish for a speedy recovery to all those affected."

A Coast Guard Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON) MH-65 Dolphin aircrew forward deployed aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Seneca medevacs a Honduran near Puerto Lempira, Honduras Nov. 13, 2020. The Coast Guard is assisting in urgent search and rescue and redistribution of relief aid in Honduras affected by Hurricane Eta. - photo © U.S. Coast Guard

"The Seneca is proud to be assigned to CTF-45 and support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations in Honduras," said Cmdr. Matthew Rooney, commanding officer of the Coast Guard Cutter Seneca. "Our embarked MH-65 helicopter was well suited to provide medical evacuations, conduct aerial surveys of critical infrastructure and deliver emergency supplies in remote areas. The Seneca's crew performed magnificently and I am grateful that we could provide assistance after Hurricane Eta made landfall in Honduras."

Joint Task Force-Bravo is leading the humanitarian aid disaster relief efforts under the responsibility of U.S. Southern Command. The mission of JTF-Bravo includes being prepared to support disaster relief operations in Central America, South America and the Caribbean, when directed by SOUTHCOM. JTF-B's training and strategic location allows them to mobilize and respond to an emergency with very short notice, enabling them to rapidly respond to the needs of our partners.

Coast Guard members with the Coast Guard Cutter Seneca and the Helicopter Tactical Squadron (HITRON) MH-65 Dolphin aircrew forward deployed aboard the Seneca assist Hondurans near Puerto Lempira, Honduras, by providing urgent search and rescue and redistribution of relief aid Nov. 13, 2020. The Coast Guard is supporting humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations across Honduras after Hurricane Eta affected the country. - photo © U.S. Coast Guard

Coast Guard Seventh District, along with regional partners, are monitoring Hurricane Iota and urges caution to all mariners in the Western Caribbean Sea. The Coast Guard stands ready, relevant and responsive to aid and render assistance when needed.

The Coast Guard Cutter Seneca is a 270-foot Medium Endurance Cutter with a crew complement of 100, with missions ranging from counter-narcotics, migrant interdictions, search and rescue to living marine resource operations from the Gulf of Maine to the Pacific Ocean. The cutter was commissioned in 1987 and is homeported in Boston, Massachusetts.