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Colombian Delegation Visits Comfort During Operation Unified Response

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS100201-16
Release Date: 2/1/2010 4:23:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Timothy Wilson, USNS Comfort Public Affairs

ABOARD USNS COMFORT, At Anchor (NNS) -- A delegation of Colombian naval officers from the Armada of the Republic of Colombia (ARC) logistics ship Cartagena de Indias (BM-161) visited the Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) Jan. 31.

Combined Task Group 41.8 (CTF 48.1) Commodore Capt. Rodelio Laco and Comfort Military Treatment Facility Commanding Officer Capt. James Ware greeted the delegation, who toured the ship and had dinner aboard.

"We are extending our welcome [to the Colombian officers] and renewing old friendships," said Laco, who is leading Comfort's efforts to provide care in Haiti. "It's good that we are not starting from scratch."

Comfort visited Tumaco, Colombia for ten days last year, providing medical and dental care as part of the humanitarian mission Continuing Promise 2009.

"Now, we are expanding this international partnership," Laco said. "Everyone is contributing and helping out."

The Colombian navy and Red Cross of Colombia are working with other countries supplying and transporting food, water and medical supplies for Haitians after the Jan. 12 earthquake devastated the Caribbean nation.

"It is good to work together," said Comfort Staff Operations Officer Lt. j.g. Matthew Goetz. "To achieve mission accomplishment and save the lives of the Haitian people is important."

International forces from around the world are focused on assisting Haiti through Operation Unified Response, a multinational effort between military, civil and nongovernmental agencies to stabilize the country.

"We are looking forward to working with these countries again," Goetz said. "We are building skills to be more effective and efficient in order to support the people of Haiti."

For more news from USNS Comfort (T-AH 20), visit www.navy.mil/local/tah20/.