TAH-20 USNS COMFORT

• Origins and Commissioning: The USNS Comfort (T-AH-20) was originally built as an oil tanker named SS Rose City in 1976 before being converted into a hospital ship and commissioned in 1987. • Massive Medical Capacity: The ship boasts a 1,000-bed hospital facility, including 12 fully equipped operating rooms, radiological services, a pharmacy, optometry lab, and dental services. • Humanitarian Missions: USNS Comfort has conducted numerous humanitarian missions across the globe, participating in Operation Continuing Promise, providing medical care to underserved populations in Central and South America and the Caribbean. • 9/11 Response: After the September 11, 2001 attacks, the Comfort was deployed to New York Harbor within 24 hours, providing medical and psychological support to first responders. • COVID-19 Pandemic: In March 2020, USNS Comfort was deployed to New York City to support local hospitals during the COVID-19 surge, treating non-COVID patients to free up hospital beds. • Disaster Relief: Comfort has responded to natural disasters, such as Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and the Haiti earthquake in 2010, delivering critical medical aid and surgical care. • Symbol of Goodwill: The ship is often referred to as a "floating symbol of hope," and its missions are credited with improving diplomatic relations with countries it visits. • Diverse Crew: The ship operates with a combined crew of Navy medical personnel and civilian mariners from the Military Sealift Command, showcasing a unique collaboration. • Training Platform: When not on active missions, the Comfort is used for medical training and readiness exercises, enhancing the U.S. Navy’s ability to respond quickly to crises. • Namesake and Sister Ship: USNS Comfort is one of only two Mercy-class hospital ships in the U.S. Navy; her sister ship is USNS Mercy (T-AH-19), based on the West Coast.