#PuertoRicoStrong #PuertoRicoRelief #GoNavy ==> #Repost @usnavy ・・・ #USNSComfort (T-AH 20) is underway and making final preparations to support #HurricaneMaria relief efforts in #PuertoRico. The Military Sealift Command hospital ship departed Naval Station Norfolk on Friday, and can arrive in Puerto Rico as early as Oct. 3, but the final date and arrival location is to be determined. USNS Comfort departed with over 800 #USNavy medical personnel and support staff with the medical treatment facility, and over 70 civil service mariners. The medical personnel will provide a full spectrum of medical care to include general practice, family medicine, nephrology and pediatrics. The civil service mariners operate and navigate the ship, load and off-load mission cargo, assist with repairs to mission equipment and provide essential services to keep the military treatment facility up and running. When not deployed, USNS Comfort is kept in a reduced operating status but can transition to full operating status in five days. Comfort's MTF is an embarked crew of medical personnel from the Navy's Bureau of Medicine and Surgery responsible for operating and maintaining one of the largest trauma facilities in the United States. USNS Comfort's primary mission is to provide an afloat, mobile, acute surgical medical facility to the U.S. military that is flexible, capable and uniquely adaptable to support expeditionary warfare. Comfort's secondary mission is to provide full hospital services to support U.S. disaster relief and humanitarian operations worldwide. USNS Comfort is the second of two Mercy-class hospital ships. A converted San Clemente-class supertanker, Comfort delivered to the Navy's Military Sealift Command Dec. 1, 1987. #InstaNavy #LifeAtSea #LifeOnTheWater #Military #NavyLife @deptofdefense @fema @ricardorossello
