• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Comfort Continues Work in Colombia Despite Weather

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS070825-09
Release Date: 8/25/2007 3:49:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Brandon Shelander, USNS Comfort Public Affairs

BUENAVENTURA, Colombia (NNS) -- Despite weather forecasts on Aug. 24 predicting severe inclement weather, with up to 32 inches of rain over the next two days, hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) continues to provide health care services while monitoring the weather and adjusting its schedule to serve the greatest number of people possible.

Despite the logistical challenges associated with keeping the Comfort teams ashore for several days, humanitarian work will continue at Buenaventura Coliseum for as long as possible.

"We found that it made sense to keep people at Buenaventura. So, what we decided to do was bring back some people and give those people who are in Buenaventura equipment, supplies and personal items so they can continue the mission," said Capt. Bruce Boynton, commanding officer of the medical treatment facility aboard Comfort.

The news that Comfort's humanitarian services such as adult medicine, pediatric care and dentistry would not be interrupted by the harsh weather conditions brought cheers to the anxious Colombians who were in line.

The men and women aboard Comfort scrambled to put together special care packages containing spare clothes, hygiene supplies and other overnight necessities their teammates might need during the three-night stay ashore. The care packages were added to the replenishment cargo containing food and other consumables. The goods were packed up within minutes of the official announcement from Capt. Bob Kapcio, mission commander, and flown to the coliseum.

"I really don't think patient care will be impacted by the weather because we've left more than half of our people out there and they're going to work extra hours tonight to try to see as many people as they can," Kapcio said. "And if we add another twenty-four hours on the back end of our mission here in Colombia, we may end up seeing more people than we originally planned.
We really have our work cut out for us here in Colombia - trying to make sure we can see as many people as we can, but then also making sure that we don't put any of our own people at risk."

Colombia is the eighth country Comfort has visited during its four-month humanitarian deployment to Latin America and the Caribbean. During that time, the Comfort team has faced incredible logistical challenges, but with determination and flexibility, the men and women aboard Comfort have treated thousands of people as part of Partnership for the Americas.