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Comfort Completes Replenishment at Sea, Returns to Haiti

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS100227-02
Release Date: 2/27/2010 9:02:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Shannon Warner, USNS Comfort Public Affairs

USNS COMFORT, At sea (NNS) -- Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) completed a replenishment at sea (RAS) Feb. 22 before returning to carry on with humanitarian medical assistance to help the people of Haiti recover from last month's earthquake.

Comfort received 22,945 barrels of fuel from the fleet replenishment oiler USNS Leroy Grumman (T-AO 195) during the nine-hour evolution requiring the utmost attention to detail from crew members.

"With everyone working together, the replenishment went very well." said Capt. Rodelio Laco, commander, Task Group 41.8, who is responsible for operational details of Comfort's support of Operation Unified Response.

"The group did a super job."

A combined detail of 73 civilian mariners and 54 U.S. Sailors worked together to bring on fuel for both the ship and the aircraft used to transport patients.

"The most critical commodity we brought on board was fuel for the helicopters," said Comfort's Chief Mate David Lieberman, one of Comfort's civil service mariners responsible for the ship's operation and navigation. "Without the fuel we couldn't sustain helicopter operations."

In addition to fuel, 10,000 gallons of water was brought on to top off Comfort's supply.

Since embarking their first patients Jan. 19, Comfort's medical care providers have treated 993 earthquake survivors. These patients were some of those who were most severely injured in the 7.0 earthquake that devastated Port-au-Prince and the surrounding countryside.

Under the guidance of USAID, more than 12,000 service members are cooperating with the local government in Haiti to help the nation's nearly five million citizens recover from the worst natural disaster experienced here in 200 years.