This plaque states that U.S. Southern Command donated a hyperbaric chamber to the Puerto Lempira hospital in 2008. The lobster industry is one of the main staples that support Puerto Lempira and the local area, and many divers who fish for the marine commodity have suffered from decompression sickness (DCS), also known as the bends. Exposure to DCS can produce many symptoms to include paralysis and death, but if treated early in a hyperbaric chamber, there is a significantly higher chance of successful recovery. The donation was a critical aid to the Puerto Lempira region, and it emboldened SOUTHCOM's commitment to bring medical care and humanitarian assistance to Central America, further strengthening the partnership with the Hondurans. (U.S. Air Force Photo/ Capt. Connie Dillon)