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USNS Comfort Arrives in Dominican Republic

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090422-13
Release Date: 4/22/2009 12:03:00 PM

By Airman 1st Class Danielle Grannan, Continuing Promise Public Affairs

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (NNS) -- Opening ceremonies were held in Santo Domingo April 21 to celebrate the arrival of hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) and its crew as part of Continuing Promise 2009 (CP09).

"The people and government of the United States have returned to the Dominican Republic to work alongside the people and professionals of this great nation to provide humanitarian assistance to those who most need it," said Roland Bullen, deputy chief of mission at the U.S. embassy in the Dominican Republic.

This is Comfort's second stop on its four-month humanitarian and civic assistance mission. The ship's crew will offer a variety of services to the Dominican Republic.

"The Continuing Promise mission is a partnership with Caribbean nations and Latin America to bring medical, dental, veterinary and engineering services based on the country's request and working with the U.S. Embassy and U.S. Southern Command," said Navy Capt. Robert Lineberry, CP09 mission commander.

The medical staff aboard Comfort consists of approximately 20 surgeons, 75 nurses, 13 dentists and more than 50 physicians, said Navy Capt. James J. Ware, commanding officer of the hospital on board Comfort. The ship will also offer 250 patient beds, four operating rooms, X-ray machines, CT scanners, a pharmacy, dental suites, and physical therapy among other services.

"This international mission consists of medical professionals from the Dominican Republic, Canada, El Salvador, Nicaragua, the Netherlands and the United States," said Lineberry. "This humanitarian team on board Comfort stands ready to assist Dominican Republic officials to see to the needs of the people."

Comfort is scheduled to be in the Dominican Republic until May 2.

"I look forward to the work of the many professionals from all the nations who are supporting this endeavor," said Bullen. "I truly believe we will be successful in this endeavor for together we can accomplish many great things."