MIAMI — Hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) departed from Miami after commencing Operation Continuing Promise 2022, Oct. 23, 2022, said Petty Officer 2nd Class Juel Foster of U.S. 4th Fleet Public Affairs said in an Oct. 22 release.
During Comfort’s time in Miami, the ship hosted over 200 guests, including distinguished visitors from more than 15 countries and local and national media outlets. Sailors and crewmembers held tours of the ship and participated in press conferences and interviews. To cap it off, the U.S. Fleet Forces Band performed the “Sunday Night Football” theme song for NBC Sports, which aired Sunday afternoon. Among the distinguished visitors were General Laura J. Richardson, U.S. Southern Command combatant commander, and Rear Adm. Doug Sasse, reserve vice commander, U.S. Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet.
“Comfort and its supporting partners demonstrate a continued commitment to the Caribbean, Central and South America,” said Richardson. “The multinational public, private and multiservice team working on this 1,000-man hospital ship really demonstrates the power of partnership. It also demonstrates a profound truth that health security is national security.”
Since its inauguration in 2007, Continuing Promise’s mission has been to utilize trained medical teams to provide care aboard the ship and at land-based medical sites, while working with partner nation medical personnel to increase medical readiness, strengthen partnerships and enhance U.S. Navy and partner nation capabilities to respond to public health disasters and humanitarian crises.
“Continuing Promise 2022 reflects America’s commitment to strengthening friendships, partnerships and solidarity with our Caribbean, Central and South American neighbors,” said Capt. Bryan Carmichael, commodore of Amphibious Squadron 4. “Medical services are a big part of this mission, but we are also building relationships that will have lasting impacts.”
USNS Comfort’s current mission will be the 12th Continuing Promise mission conducted in U.S. Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet area of responsibility.
U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet supports U.S. Southern Command’s joint and combined military operations by employing maritime forces in cooperative maritime security operations to maintain access, enhance interoperability, and build enduring partnerships in order to enhance regional security and promote peace, stability and prosperity in the Caribbean, Central and South American region.
