MITCHELL, S.D. (MITCHELLNOW) PARAMARIBO, Suriname – 23 South Dakota National Guard citizen-warriors from the 730th Medical Company Area Support and 114th Medical Group traveled to Suriname to provide medical and dental services to citizens of Paramaribo, La Vigilantia, and Powakka during Operation ‘Gran Mati’, which means ‘good friend’, from August 19-26, 2024.

“The U.S. Embassy was very pleased to welcome members of the U.S. Armed Forces who traveled here to help us with this operation, to include medical providers, dentists, and behavioral health specialists to participate in ‘Gran Mati’,” said U.S. Ambassador Robert Faucher. “This demonstrates the United States’ continued resolve to promoting the U.S. and Suriname partnership. Operation ‘Gran Mati’ is a testament to the enduring partnership between our two countries.”

Over 900 medical patients were helped during this iteration of the military operation and medical assistance was provided to the interior of Suriname, where healthcare is otherwise limited.

“This unquestionably contributed for an unparalleled training experience for all involved and will serve us all very well in the future wherever we are called to serve going forward. The power of forming together and excelling in our mission using the diverse capabilities available to us as a unified force was a clear takeaway in everyone’s mind,” said SDNG Air Force Maj. Jed Assam, a flight surgeon with the 114th.

The dental personnel helped over 650 dental patients and performed over 1,000 dental extractions during Gran Mati.

“The Suriname citizens are very wonderful and grateful. We can make a great impact on them because both medical and dental can provide life-changing services,” said SDNG Army Lt. Col. Ron Ottenbacher, a 730th field surgeon and internal medicine physician. “Dental care can be for a bad tooth that has been painful for decades, and our excellent dentists are able to remove a tooth or several teeth and really change their life. They may be seeing doctors for the first time, or for the first time in this capacity, and we can provide critical services for all ages.”

The mission was conducted as part of the State Partnership Program (SPP), which seeks to strengthen ties through engagement activities and share experiences and best practices through a variety of military subject matter expert exchanges. Suriname and South Dakota have strengthened their relationship through this program for more than 18 years.

“The collaboration with the team from South Dakota was great, and we look forward to the next mission. We look back on a very successful mission in which assistance was provided to over 1600 people,” said Suriname Defense Forces Capt. Guno Welzijn. “These people were very grateful and that was evident from all the happy faces. I’m convinced that it has been an educational period for both the Surinamese team and the South Dakota team. Hereby, on behalf of the Surinamese community, I thank everyone for their participation in this operation and for their continued support.”

Gran Mati was one of many SDNG and Suriname exchanges, but it continues the legacy of our culture to answer the call to service. This provided another great opportunity to highlight our mission focused citizen-warriors as they bring back the knowledge and experiences gained to our communities.

FOR MORE INFORMATION or high-resolution photos please contact the SDNG Public Affairs Office at (605) 737-6721 or email ng.sd.sdarng.list.pao@army.mil