July 28, 2022

Department of Defense Engagement in the Western Hemisphere

This fact sheet is released on the occasion of the XV Conference of Defense Ministers of the Americas (CDMA), which convened on July 25-29, 2022, in Brasilia, Brazil, hosted by the Brazilian Ministry of National Defense. CDMA is the premier hemispheric defense ministerial for strategic-level engagement with the top defense officials of the Americas, and convenes every two years. U.S. Secretary of Defense William Perry established and hosted the first CDMA in 1995. U.S. Secretaries of Defense have attended every CDMA since its inception. Chile’s Ministry of National Defense hosted the last CDMA virtually in 2020.

Jan. 6, 2020

Global Health Engagement Strengthens Partnerships

Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar describes the work of the international crew of the USNS Comfort as “near miraculous.” He was aboard the U.S. Navy hospital ship during its deployment to South America earlier this year and saw firsthand the impact of forward deployed health and humanitarian assistance missions.

Aug. 29, 2019

Comfort Staff Exchanges Medical Strategies with Colombian Counterparts

Medical staff assigned to the hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) met with Colombian military and civilian medical personnel to collaborate during subject matter expert exchanges (SMEE) at Battalion Cordoba military base, Aug. 20, and University Hospital Julio Méndez Barreneche, Aug. 26.

Aug. 20, 2019

Comfort Arrives in Colombia to Provide Medical Assistance

The hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) arrived in Colombia for its fifth medical mission in Central America, South America and the Caribbean, Aug. 18.

July 27, 2019

SOUTHCOM Commander Visits Costa Rica to Strengthen Security Partnership

U.S. Navy Adm. Craig S. Faller, commander of U.S. Southern Command, visited Costa Rica July 24 – 26, where he met with leaders to discuss security cooperation.

July 8, 2019

USNS Comfort Arrives in Peru to Provide Medical Assistance

Hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) arrived in Callao, Peru, for the second mission stop of its 2019 deployment, July 8. U.S. service members and medical professionals will work alongside international partner and host nation medical professionals to provide much-needed medical assistance in communities with urgent health care needs, including local populations and vulnerable Venezuelans who have fled to Peru from the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela.

June 15, 2019

Hospital Ship USNS Comfort Departs Norfolk for Medical Mission

The U.S. Navy hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) left from Naval Station Norfolk, June 14, to begin its deployment to South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. During its deployment, Comfort will provide medical assistance in support of regional partners and in response to the regional impacts of the Venezuela political and economic crisis.

June 10, 2019

Hospital Ship to Depart Norfolk for Medical Mission

The U.S. Navy hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) deploys from Naval Station Norfolk on Friday, June 14 at 8 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time. During its five-month deployment, Comfort will provide medical assistance in support of regional partners and in response to the regional impacts of the Venezuela political and economic crisis.  While deployed, Comfort will conduct mission stops in Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Panama, Saint Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, and Trinidad and Tobago.

May 8, 2019

Navy Hospital Ship Deploying to Help Venezuelan Refugees

The U.S. is sending a hospital ship to aid in the refugee crisis resulting from instability in Venezuela. At the annual Washington Conference on the Americas at the State Department, Vice President Mike Pence announced the Navy hospital ship USNS Comfort will deploy to the U.S. Southern Command area of operations next month.

Dec. 19, 2018

Hospital Ship USNS Comfort Returns to Norfolk After Completing Mission in South and Central America

NORFOLK, Virginia – The U.S. Navy hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) pulled into Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, Dec. 18, after completing its deployment to South and Central America.