By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joshua Karsten
USNS Comfort Public Affairs

USNS COMFORT, At Sea -- The hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) hosted Vice President Jaime Morales of Nicaragua along with other Nicaraguan officials July 23 during a visit to that country.

While aboard Comfort, Morales toured the ship’s facilities and was introduced to crew members and patients.

“Having Vice President Morales here was a great honor,” said Comfort’s mission commander Capt. Bob Kapcio. “This really gave us a chance to show the Nicaraguan leadership our commitment to the people of Nicaragua and we hope that this visit strengthened the bond between us.”

Following the ship tour, Morales and other officials -- along with Comfort leadership -- visited the Realejo Health Care Center in Realejo, one of three Comfort work sites in Nicaragua. Comfort also provided medical assistance at the Jose Schendal Hospital in Corinto and the Quince de Julio Health Care Center in Chinandega.

Comfort is in Nicaragua conducting humanitarian assistance missions at three sites in that nation. Members of the U.S. Navy, Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Public Health Service and Canadian forces, in conjunction with non-governmental organizations such as Project Hope and Operation Smile, are providing host-nation citizens with no-cost health care services, including adult and pediatric primary care, dentistry, optometry and veterinary services. Additionally, Seabees of Mobile Construction Battalion 202 have provided repairs and renovations of site buildings.

The ship is currently deployed to the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility, which includes Latin America and the Caribbean. While deployed, Comfort is under the operational control of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and tactical control of Destroyer Squadron 24.