WASHINGTON — U.S. Navy medical personnel assigned to Expeditionary Medical Facility-M (EMF-M) have deployed as part of a U.S. Northern Command-led COVID-19 response to support civil health authorities in existing facilities in New Orleans and Dallas, the Navy said in a release. See: New…
President Grants New York Governor’s Request for Hospital Ship Comfort to Take COVID-19 Patients
ARLINGTON, Va. — The governor of New York, the state hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, wants the hospital ship USNS Comfort to switch missions and accept patients with the novel coronavirus ahead of an anticipated spike in infections and…
Coast Guard Oversees Disembarkation of Port Everglades Cruise Passengers; 31 Medically Evacuated
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Coast Guard on April 2 helped oversee the offloading of more than 1,200 passengers from the cruise ships Zaandam and Rotterdam in Port Everglades, Florida, according to a Coast Guard Headquarters release. This combined with one remaining disembarkation being coordinated represents the processing of more than…
Former Commander of Theodore Roosevelt to Replace Ousted Skipper
ARLINGTON, Va. — The most recent former commander of the USS Theodore Roosevelt will replace the aircraft carrier’s ousted skipper, Capt. Brett Crozier, who was dismissed April 2 after his plea to the U.S. Navy for more help dealing with…
Chao, Buzby Conference With Maritime Industry Leaders Over COVID-19
WASHINGTON — Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao and Maritime Administrator Mark H. Buzby held a teleconference with maritime industry leaders on April 2 to discuss the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak on the industry, according to an April 2 MARAD release. Chao and Buzby discussed the…
Captain of COVID-19-Plagued Aircraft Carrier Relieved of Command
ARLINGTON, Va. — The commander of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt — whose letter to U.S. Navy brass about leadership’s slow response to a coronavirus outbreak that endangered his crew was leaked to a San Francisco newspaper — has…
New York, L.A. Hospital Ships See Few Patients But Brace for Expected Wave
ARLINGTON, Va. — Both commanders of medical operations on the two Military Sealift Command hospital ships sent to ease the load of non-coronavirus cases at hard-pressed local hospitals in Los Angeles and New York City said their staffs have treated…
COVID-19 Testing, Isolation Expand for Crew of Aircraft Carrier as Navy Dismisses Captain
ARLINGTON, Va. — U.S. Navy officials are scrambling to find accommodations on Guam to isolate thousands of Sailors from the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, the first — and, so far, only — deployed Navy ship to be caught up…
Geurts: Ship Construction Ongoing, Repairs Continuing Amid COVID-19 Outbreak
ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Navy is continuing to build and repair ships amid the COVID-19 pandemic but also is looking ahead to position itself to accelerate as the nation recovers from the pandemic, the service’s top acquisition official said. The repair yards…
Navy Regional Maintenance Centers Continuing Work Amid COVID-19 Crisis
WASHINGTON — In the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Navy’s Regional Maintenance Centers (RMCs) are continuing to maintain the Navy’s ships, even in countries where the pandemic is especially severe, the Navy said. “Our priority is the protection of our workforce, [and] our commanders have…