110427-N-YY999-002 SAN DIEGO (April 27, 2011) A CT scan of a Peruvian mummy taken at Naval Medical Center San Diego provides details of the muscular and skeletal structure. The mummy is part of a planned exhibit at the San Diego Museum of Man. The medical center is the only medical facility in San Diego County with a Flash Dual Source 128 CT scanner that is Dual Energy capable. This unique capability uses two different energy sources to differentiate characteristics in tissue and bone beyond conventional CT imaging. (U.S. Navy image/Released)
110518-N-VA590-244 HAD YAO BEACH, Thailand (May 18, 2011) Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman Tom Gilham, center left, assigned to Commander, Task Force 73, reviews triage procedures with Royal Thai Navy medical personnel during a simulated medical evacuation during an amphibious landing exercise as part of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Thailand 2011. CARAT is a series of bilateral exercises held annually in Southeast Asia to strengthen relationships and enhance force readiness. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jose Lopez Jr./Released)
110517-N-6801S-075 ARABIAN SEA (May 17, 2011) Medical responders aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) triage Sailors during a mass casualty drill. Enterprise and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1 are conducting close-air support missions as part of Operation Enduring Freedom in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Nick C. Scott/Released)
110104-M-5112P-136 SANGIN VALLEY, Afghanistan (Jan. 4, 2011) Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Heidi A. Dean, assigned to the Female Engagement Team supporting 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, gives a basic hygiene class during a health initiative in Sangin, Afghanistan. The initiative is being conducted to train local health care providers, treat sick and injured, and enhance Afghan National Security Force relations in the area. The battalion conducts counterinsurgency operations with the International Security Assistance Force and is assigned to Regimental Combat Team 2. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joseph M. Peterson/Released)
110506-N-NY820-165 PAITA, Peru (May 6, 2011) The Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) is anchored in the fishing town of Paita, Peru. Comfort is deployed supporting Continuing Promise 2011, a five-month humanitarian assistance mission to the Caribbean, Central and South America. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Eric C. Tretter/Released)
110414-N-EP471-245 KINGSTON, Jamaica (April 14, 2011) Brazilian navy Lt. Maria Elisa fills a patient's tooth during a Continuing Promise 2011 medical community service event at the National Sports Arena. Elisa is embarked aboard the Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) during the five-month humanitarian assistance mission to the Caribbean, Central and South America. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Kim Williams/Released)
110430-N-RM525-179 PAITA, Peru (April 30, 2011) Capt. David Weiss, commanding officer of the medical treatment facility aboard the Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20), gives Peruvian navy Rear Adm. Ricardo Menendez, commander of 1st Naval Zone, a tour of the flight deck. Comfort is deployed as part of Continuing Promise 2011, a five-month humanitarian assistance mission to the Caribbean, Central and South America. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jonathen E. Davis/Released)
110503-N-QD416-114 PAITA, Peru (May 3, 2011) Sheryl Flanary, left, and Lt. j.g. Sara Edmondson teach a patient to play Cats Cradle at a Continuing Promise 2011 medical clinic set up by staff assigned to the Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20). Continuing Promise is a five-month humanitarian assistance mission to the Caribbean, Central and South America. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Brian A. Goyak/Released)
USNS Comfort, Continuing Promise 2011, Depart Jamaica after Treating Thousands
Story Number: NNS110425-06 Release Date: 4/25/2011 12:38:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW) Kim Williams, Continuing Promise 2011 Public Affairs
KINGSTON, Jamaica (NNS) -- Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) and its Continuing Promise 2011 (CP '11) team departed Jamaica April 23 following ten days of medical, dental and veterinary care, engineering support and subject matter expert exchanges.
Comfort's crew performed 126 surgeries, treated 560 physical therapy patients, dispensed 3,161 pairs of eyeglasses and aided 1,186 dental patients during its mission in Jamaica.
For days, Kingston residents packed medical sites at the city's National Sports Arena and Windward Health Centre where many were eventually given an appointment for further treatment on board the ship.
"CP '11's mission in Jamaica clearly showed the United States' commitment to the Caribbean and what can be accomplished when partner nations work together toward a common good," said Capt. Brian Nickerson, Continuing Promise 2011 commodore. "Our visit also reinforced the idea that what we are doing does matter even though we are not able to help everyone. To those who we are able to help, it means everything."
CP '11 is a collaborative effort involving military and civilian medical professionals from a variety of organizations including National Nurses United and Memorial Healthcare, as well as support from non-governmental organizations such as Loving Hugs Inc. and Edge Outreach to name a few.
In addition to the two medical community service sites, CP '11 personnel also performed community relations (COMREL) projects at local schools, churches and children's homes.
For many Sailors on board Comfort, the COMRELs presented an opportunity to impact children's lives.
"It's great to be involved with people, especially different cultures in different atmospheres," said Aviation Support Equipment Technician 2nd Class Kevin Cobb. "Working with young people has always been my thing. To have children around me is great and to be able to teach them something that they won't forget, that is going to be forever marked in their heads forever that they will remember even when they get old and gray is even better."
In addition to providing humanitarian and civil assistance to host nation residents, CP '11 also serves as an opportunity for Comfort's crew to learn from partner nation and civilian experts.
"My sense is that our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, partner nation representatives and civilian volunteers are leaving Jamaica having gained valuable experience from a regional partner nation and in-country civilian experts," said Nickerson. "The hands-on training and subject matter expert exchanges that have occurred over the last ten days are developing the relationships and building the experience that may be needed during a future regional crisis or foreign disaster response."
Throughout the Jamaica mission, Comfort crew members welcomed many distinguished visitors aboard including the Prime Minister of Jamaica, the Honorable Bruce Golding; and U.S. Ambassador to Jamaica, Pamela Bridgewater.
CP '11 Jamaica concluded with a closing ceremony luncheon hosted by the crew of the Comfort and American Embassy in Kingston, Jamaica.
Comfort is deployed in support of Continuing Promise 2011, a five-month humanitarian assistance mission to the Caribbean, Central and South America. Comfort is operated and navigated by 70 civil service mariners who work for the U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command.
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