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Comfort Arrives in Boston Following International Medical Exercise

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060508-04
Release Date: 5/8/2006 4:00:00 PM

By Journalist 3rd Class Heather Weaver, Fleet Public Affiars Center, Atlantic

BOSTON (NNS) -- USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) arrived in Boston May 5, following a five-day port stop in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where she had participated in an international medical exercise.

Members of the U.S. Public Health Service, British Royal Navy, Canadian forces and a representative from the Japanese navy boarded Comfort in her homeport of Baltimore harbor to train with their U.S. Navy counterparts during the transit.

Upon arrival in Halifax, Comfort teamed up with the Canadian military to create and execute a mass casualty drill.

“This training and exposure allowed us to work with our international allies and learn from each other while fostering a mutual understanding of each other's capabilities and limitations,” said Lt. John Seavey, Comfort’s operations assistant department head. “[This training] is critical in the event of a multinational disaster relief or humanitarian mission.”

International personnel felt the training went well and said no matter what country a medical provider is from, they all have the same vision.

“It is important to build bonds between the multinational services,” said British Royal Navy Petty Officer, Naval Nurse Lisa Harrison. “At the end of the day, we’re all trying to accomplish the same goal, which is to provide the best medical care possible in each situation.”

After completing the joint medical exercise with Canadian forces in Halifax, the Comfort medical staff conducted training over the weekend with city agencies and Massachusetts General Hospital emergency preparedness and disaster management staff.

This effort will help prepare military personnel to better coordinate efforts with their civilian counterparts. While in Boston, Comfort will also provide support to Navy Recruiting District Boston.

“I am pleased with the success of this exercise,” said Capt. Albert Shimkus, commanding officer of the Military Treatment Facility embarked aboard Comfort. “Our goal was to build a cohesive international crew, and we accomplished that. The bonds formed during this exercise will last forever.”

The ship and crew will depart Boston May 8 to head toward Norfolk, Va., where the military sealift command personnel will take part in re-qualification trials and inspections.

In previous missions, Comfort assisted in relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. At its height, the hospital ship had more than 700 medical and support personnel aboard to assist in the Federal Emergency Management Agency-led initiative to provide disaster relief to the U.S. Gulf Coast region. The ship also took part in Operation Iraqi Freedom and provided services for rescue workers after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Comfort has unique capabilities for humanitarian relief missions including helicopter lift, advanced medical equipment, a wide range of medical skills, berthing and personnel support, as well as supplies to support medical operations ashore.