Navy Hospital Ship Arrives in Jamaica

By Senior Airman Kasey Close, Continuing Promise 2011 Public Affairs

KINGSTON, Jamaica (NNS) -- Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) arrived in Kingston, Jamaica, for its first stop for Continuing Promise 2011 (CP11) April 13.

Comfort's deployment to the region exemplifies the U.S. commitment to cooperative partnerships in the Caribbean, Central and South America.

For this mission, Comfort's hospital, called the Medical Treatment Facility (MTF), is configured with specialized medical equipment and staffed by multi-specialized medical teams of military and civilian health care providers.

These caregivers will provide a range of services ashore, as well as on board the ship for approximately 250 patients.

"The staff aboard Comfort is excited about their first country as part of CP11 and to get started on the humanitarian assistance," said Capt. Kathy Becker, USNS Comfort MTF executive officer.

Continuing Promise will offer a variety of services to each country it visits including surgical, general surgery, neurology, emergency medical technicians, orthopedics, anesthesiology, dental, family medicine, pediatrics, preventative medicine, diagnostics and veterinarian.

These efforts are intended to foster cooperation, collaboration and interoperability with U.S. regional partners.

Members of the Navy's construction force, known as the Seabees, will perform several construction and repair projects throughout the Jamaican community. Seabees can provide construction projects, utility system repairs and construction/technical assistance, drainage and trenching projects.

Utilitiesman 1st Class Kevin Geegan, Navy Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 28, is participating in his first Continuing Promise mission, but has been part of several other humanitarian missions. He said he is looking forward to improving the lives of the people in the Kingston community.

COMUSNAVSO/COMFOURTHFLT supports U.S. Southern Command joint and combined full-spectrum military operations by providing principally sea-based, forward presence to ensure freedom of maneuver in the maritime domain, to foster and sustain cooperative relationships with international partners and to fully exploit the sea as maneuver space in order to enhance regional security and promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the Caribbean, Central and South American regions.