USNS Comfort deploys to Haiti to assist earthquake relief efforts

BALTIMORE, Md. (Jan. 16, 2010) The Military Sealift Command (MSC) hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) prepares to get underway for a short notice humanitarian deployment to Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The ship, with a crew of nearly 850 personnel including 550 U.S. Navy medical service members, will assist other U.S. Armed Forces elements, non-profit humanitarian organizations and search and rescue teams from around the world in bringing relief to Haitians displaced by the Jan. 12 earthquake. Comfort's Medical Treatment Facility has the capability to provide significant medical care through an emergency operating rooms, ward beds, a casualty reception area, pharmacy and intensive care area. 10HE0116-N-XXXXX-219 (USN)