• Military Menu                       

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

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Mobile Security Stands Watch Over Comfort

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS070825-12
Release Date: 8/25/2007 6:18:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kelly E. Barnes, USNS Comfort Public Affairs

BAHIA MALAGA, Colombia (NNS) -- Mobile Security Squadron (MSS) Six Det. 26 was relieved by Det. 22, Aug. 25, after two months of guarding hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) through seven of 12 ports.

The detachments had a two-week turnover to familiarize Det. 22 with the hospital ship and the patrol routine.

The Sailors who patrol for threats in the waters surrounding Comfort while at anchor or pierside, work in shifts aboard rigid hull inflatable boats.

"Our boats are one of the last lines of defense if the host nation boats don't pick up an incoming threat," said Master-at-Arms 1st Class (SW) Martin J. Gregurich, Det. 26's leading petty officer.

Det. 22 members coordinated with the host nation security in two ways: To protect and defend Comfort by controlling the water surrounding the ship and by providing protection for the mission on land at each of the medical sites.

"Most of the security boats are from the host nation military or police so they operate with the force of the law behind them," said Lt. Cmdr. Bret Garvie, officer in charge of Det. 26. "Each medical site has a Det. 26 member attached to work with host nation military to ensure the best possible security with the assets available."

The security personnel stand watch around Comfort and ashore at the sites to protect the Comfort team and the patients, but also to maintain order at the often crowded treatment sites.

"We're doing our best to provide good crowd control out at the sites," said Master-at-Arms 1st Class (EXW/SW) Paul O'Rourke, chief of the guard for Det. 22. "We understand this is a medical treatment facility and we all support the humanitarian mission."

Aside from setting up security on the ship, in the waters surrounding the ship, and at the treatment sites, watch standers screen patients and personnel attached to the ship before they board Comfort.

"Defending the ship goes beyond manning crew-served weapons mounts," Garvie said. "We also conduct security screening to ensure no contraband or weapons that could harm the ship or crew are allowed on board."

Det. 22 and Det. 26 are based out of Portsmouth, Va. Det. 22 will remain aboard for the duration of Comfort's deployment.

Comfort is on a four-month humanitarian deployment to Latin America and the Caribbean providing medical assistance to patients in a dozen countries.