THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC'S MISSION AT CENTCOM

The Dominican Republic's liaison office at US Central Command headquarters at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa was established in August 2003. Currently there are two officers at CENTCOM:

• A Senior National Representative (SNR)
• A Media Officer, in Coalition Public Affairs Team (CPAT).

Current officers at CENTCOM as of September 2007:

SNR, Name: Ltc. Freddy Soto Thormann, Army (DEM)

CPAT: Manuel Jose Matos y Matos, Army

The SNR coordinates plans between the Dominican Minister of Defense and CENTCOM. The CPAT officer works in public affairs, coordinating with other Spanish-speaking countries. 

SUPPORTING THE GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM (OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM)

In August 2003, the Dominican Armed Forces deployed the first Battalion-sized task force to Diwaniyah for a six-month rotation. The second and last deployment was from February until July 2004.

Both task forces were formed as follows:

• One headquarters Company.
• Three Infantry Companies.

Six hundred and two soldiers were deployed in two units of 302 and 300 each.

Our main missions during OIF were surveillance and patrolling in our Area of Operations in Diwaniyah, Iraq. These included government offices, banks, electrical installations, hospitals and water plants. Also, we trained civilian personnel to help establish the new democratic government.

The Dominican people and armed forces are committed to the Global War on Terrorism.

LINKS

Dominican Armed Forces

Dominican Secretary of Tourism

Dominican Portal