Comfort comes to Peru

CALLAO, Peru – Navy hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) arrived in Callao, Peru, July 8 for its second port visit of a 2019 deployment. While in Callao, U.S. service members and medical professionals will work alongside international partner and host nation medical professionals to provide much-needed medical assistance in communities with urgent health care needs, including local populations and vulnerable Venezuelans who have fled to Peru from the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela. “Our team will work side-by-side with hundreds of doctors, nurses and surgeons throughout the region to build medical readiness, disaster capacity and lasting relationships,” said Adm. Craig S. Faller, Commander U.S. Southern Command. Comfort’s team consists of military and civilian personnel from America and partner nations of Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Peru, creating a dynamic team capable of delivering a variety of services. “Our team will work together toward a common goal of alleviating stress placed on the country’s medical systems,” said Capt. Brian J. Diebold, commander, Task Force 49. “We’re committed to increasing partner nation capacity to provide medical assistance and disaster relief.” Among the staff is dental officer Lt. Elias Gonzales of Pensacola, Fla. This marks the fourth Comfort visit to Peru and the seventh to the region since 2007. The embarked medical teams will provide care on board Comfort and at two land-based medical sites. (Source: Navy Support Element East 07/08/19)