The Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) arrived in New York City today (March 30) in support of the nation’s COVID-19 response efforts.
The ship will serve as a referral hospital for non-COVID-19 patients currently admitted to shore-based hospitals while docked in New York. It will provide a full spectrum of medical care including critical care and ward care for adults as well as general surgeries.
“The USNS Comfort arrives in New York City this morning with more than 1,100 medical personnel who are ready to provide safe, high-quality health care to non-COVID patients,” said Capt. Patrick Amersbach, commanding officer of the USNS Comfort Military Treatment Facility. “We are ready and grateful to serve the needs of our nation.”
The personnel who have embarked on this mission include Navy medical and support staff assembled from 22 commands as well as 70 civil service members.
USNS Comfort’s primary mission is to provide an afloat, mobile, acute surgical medical facility to the U.S. military with a secondary mission of providing full hospital services to support U.S. disaster relief and humanitarian operations.
“The last time that this great hospital ship was here was in the wake of 9-11, where she served as respite and comfort for our first responders working around the clock,” said Rear Adm. John Mustin, vice commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command. “Our message to New Yorkers – now your Navy has returned, and we are with you, committed in this fight.”
Click here for additional coverage of USNS Comfort in New York and USNS Mercy in Los Angeles.