The Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) returned to Naval Station Norfolk (NSN), August 17, marking the successful completion of Continuing Promise 2025 (CP25). The 79-day deployment focused on providing medical care, humanitarian assistance, and strengthening relationships with partner nations in the Caribbean, Central America, and South America.
During CP25, Comfort conducted port visits in Grenada, Panama, Ecuador, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, and Trinidad and Tobago.
“We departed with a clear plan to execute the Continuing Promise mission. The environment demanded adaptability, but our commitment to that promise never wavered,” said U.S. Navy Captain Ryan Kendall, commodore, Destroyer Squadron 40 (DESRON 40) and CP25 mission commander. “The Comfort team and our partners exceeded all expectations, delivering exceptional care and expertise at every mission stop. We forged stronger bonds and honed our collective capabilities, ensuring we are better prepared to support our allies in the face of natural disasters, medical crises, or regional conflict.”
CP25 highlights the U.S. Navy’s dedication to global health and humanitarian aid. Through collaboration, Comfort addressed critical healthcare needs, improved community well-being, and fostered lasting relationships.
During the mission, Comfort’s medical team provided care to 12,616 patients, including 242 surgeries performed aboard the ship. The team also provided dental care to 1,919 patients, filled over 17,000 prescriptions, and distributed more than 7,400 pairs of glasses at shore-based sites. The biomedical crew also restored more than $2,2 million worth of medical equipment for local health systems.
“Doing this type of work has been incredibly gratifying for me,” said U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman Second Class Malachi Gregory, assigned to the central sterilization room aboard Comfort. “Having the opportunity to come down here and help people who otherwise wouldn’t be helped and seeing them afterwards with their families is what makes this mission worth it.”
Beyond medical care, U.S. Navy Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 11 dedicated over 2,500 man-hours to improving eight local schools throughout the region.
“It touched my heart to hear the stories of people from the countries we’ve visited,” said U.S. Navy Construction Electrician Third Class Francisco Espinoza Juarez, assigned to NMCB 11. “I feel that the work is better out here, because it’s to help a group of people in need and improving their way of life.”
U.S. Army veterinarians from the 248th Medical Detachment Veterinary Service Support also provided 2,267 treatments for animals, including spays and neuters, and training over 512 animal handlers.
“We were able to make a larger impact than before because of the capabilities of Comfort and the team, especially in Costa Rica with 1,700 animals treated,” said U.S. Army Specialist Shahhawaz Peer, a veterinarian assigned to the 248th Medical Detachment.
K-9 TCCC was one of 113 subject matter expert exchanges conducted during CP25, which also included topics like preventative medicine, and “Stop the Bleed.”
Community relations (COMREL) events and performances from U.S. Fleet Forces Band “Uncharted Waters” were instrumental in forging connections that transcended languages. The mission included 33 band performances and 24 COMREL events, reaching over 10,500 people. COMREL events included painting projects, beach cleanups, and sports days with the community.
“It was great to see familiar faces and to see that what we’re doing has a lasting impact,” said U.S. Navy Ensign Christopher McGann, “Uncharted Waters” band director. “Trinidad and Tobago was the best example because their band recognized us from 2023 and immediately jumped at the opportunity to work with us. It’s a unique opportunity to see new places, meet new people, and have a commonality of sharing music together.”
A testament to enduring commitment, CP25 is the 16th mission to the region since 2007 and the eighth aboard Comfort. The ship’s return to Naval Station Norfolk marks the culmination of CP25, a mission that forged strengthened alliances and revitalized communities. The true impact of the mission is not just in statistics, but in the gratitude of those served and the transformative experience of the crew, who returned as U.S. ambassadors of goodwill.
