November 28, 2022
The Navy Hospital Ship Comfort, last seen in New York City during the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic, was in Santo Domingo today. According to the Navy’s Press Office, USNS Comfort “will hold subject matter expert exchanges with Dominican partners, Women, Peace and Security seminars, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief trainings and community relations engagements.
“This visit marks the fourth of five mission stops as part of CP22 and the sixth visit to Dominican Republic as part of Continuing Promise since 2007.”
An employee at a seaside bistro with a view of the hospital ship told the Gazette that he’d heard that the ship had just returned from Colombia.
From the Navy’s Press Office:
“During the fourth stop of CP22, Comfort will provide medical surgeries aboard the ship and medical services at the Centro Olympico in Santo Domingo and the Polideportivo in Azua. Services at these two sites will include adult care, pediatric care, dental, optometry, women’s health, and various auxiliary support services.
“One highlight during the Comfort stay will be the performance of the U.S. Fleet Forces Band at the Cultural Center Mauricio Baez and Instituto Cultural Dominico Americano. The band will also conduct musical exchanges with local students. CP22 crewmembers will take time to visit a school to engage with local students and paint the building as part of a restoration project.
“The crew of the Comfort also includes military personnel from other partner nations including Canada, Chile, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Netherlands the United Kingdom and more than a dozen non-governmental organizations.”
Photo: a helicopter approaches USNS Comfort near Santo Domingo, 28 November 2022.