By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kelly E. Barnes

USNS Comfort Public Affairs

GEORGETOWN, Guyana (NNS) -- The president of Guyana toured hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) Sept. 29 during the ship´s humanitarian mission to Georgetown and surrounding areas.

President Bharrat Jagdeo was accompanied by U.S. Ambassador to Guyana David M. Robinson and Guyanese governmental and military officials, including the minister of agriculture and the head of presidential security.

Jagdeo, who became president of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana in 1999, said he is very grateful for the assistance Comfort is offering.

"I am truly impressed with the quality of services provided here," Jagdeo said. "I´m especially impressed with the well-trained personnel you have here."

Robinson echoed Jagdeo´s sentiments, saying Comfort´s presence exhibits extraordinary cooperation between the U.S. and Guyana.

"It´s an extraordinary experience actually being on this ship," Robinson said. "Definitely the best experience I think any of us have enjoyed."

For the tour, Jagdeo visited Comfort´s casualty and receiving area, the operating rooms, the dental department, a patient ward and the intensive care unit where patients recover after surgery.

Jagdeo spoke with crew members and was excited for the opportunity to tour Comfort and help emphasize the countries´ partnership.

"This will only strengthen the traditional ties we´ve had with the United States," Jagdeo said. "It contributes to the favorable image of the U.S. we have here in Guyana."

Comfort will remain in Georgetown for the week then will continue to Suriname for the final leg of their four-month humanitarian deployment to a dozen countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.

For more news from USNS Comfort, visit www.news.navy.mil/local/tah20/.