The hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) returned to its homeport in Norfolk, Virginia, concluding the Continuing Promise 2022 (CP22) mission, December 21.
The CP22 team worked collectively with participating host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Caribbean, Central and South American region.
Comfort visited Guatemala, Honduras, Colombia, Dominican Republic, and Haiti throughout the mission. The crew aboard Comfort included U.S. military and civilians, more than a dozen nongovernmental organizations, and military members from Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Honduras, Netherlands, and United Kingdom.
CP22 saw more than 13,000 patients; participated in more than 25 subject matter expert exchanges; conducted five humanitarian assistance and disaster relief workshops; shared in 18 Women, Peace, and Security initiative events; and partook in 11 community relations engagements.
“I am so delighted to have shared this remarkable experience with the men and women of the Continuing Promise 2022 team,” said U.S. Navy Captain Kathryn Elliott, commanding officer of the Medical Treatment Facility aboard the hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20). “We overcame adversity to provide medical care to the community in these host nations. Along the way we learned so much from our partners. The exchange of information that took place was vital to building upon our long-lasting relationships with the countries of this region. This is Comfort’s mission and a true continuing promise.”
Over the course of the two-month mission, there were many accomplishments by the Comfort team. Here are a few of the highlights from CP22.
Puerto Barrios, Guatemala
October 26-31
• 44 surgeries conducted
• 2,957 prescriptions filled
• Seven concerts performed by the U.S. Fleet Forces band
• Pediatric cardiology care provided, which is not available in the area
• Provided life changing surgeries, such as receiving full use of hands
Puerto Cortés, Honduras
November 1-7
• 23 surgeries conducted
• 3,350 prescriptions filled
• Seven concerts performed by the U.S. Fleet Forces band
• Held refresher course of basic life support for the volunteers at the Red Cross
• Refurbished local school in Puerto Cortés
Cartagena, Colombia
November 11-20
• 143 surgeries conducted
• 7,012 prescriptions filled
• Six concerts performed by the U.S. Fleet Forces band
• Refurbished local school by adding a new coat of paint
• Supported embassy in the handover of materials to local community
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
November 27-December 6
• 87 surgeries conducted
• 7,446 prescriptions filled
• 137 patients received physical therapy treatment
• 209 X-Rays taken
• 78 Ultrasounds performed
Jeremie, Haiti
December 11-17
• 14,012 prescriptions filled
• 1,035 patients seen
• 55 pallets of medical supplies and other goods donated
Since its inaugural mission in 2007, Continuing Promise missions have treated more than 595,000 patients and conducted over 7,250 surgeries in the region. The successful completion of the mission marks the end of the 12th Continuing Promise.
