Tag Archives: USNS Comfort (T-AH 20)

Hospital Security: Upgrade Unlocked

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The famed MSC-operated Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20), currently assigned to Commander, Task Force 49, has been underway in support of Continuing Promise 2025, the 16th iteration of the U.S. 4th Fleet/U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command-led mission since 2007, “which aims to foster goodwill, strengthen existing partnerships with partner nations, and form new partnerships between host nations, non-federal entities, and international organizations.”

A true “hearts and minds” kinda mission.

She has also gotten some old-fashioned naval work checked off the list, including a PASSEX in the Caribbean on 22 July with CTF 45/Desron 40’s Flight I Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, USS Cole (DDG 67).

USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) and USS Cole (DDG 67) passex. MC2 Rylin Paul 250722-N-MA550-1586

USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) and USS Cole (DDG 67) passex. MC2 Rylin Paul 250722-N-MA550-1867

USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) and USS Cole (DDG 67) passex. MC2 Rylin Paul 250722-N-MA550-1984

Further, Comfort has been carrying a det (Bravo Company’s 5th Platoon) from the Marine Corps Security Regiment’s Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team (FAST) Battalion, which recently conducted a live-fire exercise aboard, likely while steaming from CONUS to her stops in Central America.

Note the KAC QDSS/NT4 suppressed HK M27 IARs with Trijicon VCOG SCOs. Probably the sweetest infantry rifle set up the Corps has ever sported. (Photos by U.S. Navy Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Rylin Paul and U.S. Army Cpl. William Hunter).

Marines assigned to Marine Corps Security Force Regiment, FAST Battalion, Bravo Company, 5th Platoon, conduct a live-fire exercise aboard the Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) during Continuing Promise 2025, June 19, 2025.  

Marines assigned to Marine Corps Security Force Regiment, FAST Battalion, Bravo Company, 5th Platoon, conduct a live-fire exercise aboard the Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) during Continuing Promise 2025, June 19, 2025.  

Marines assigned to Marine Corps Security Force Regiment, FAST Battalion, Bravo Company, 5th Platoon, pose for a photo after a live-fire exercise aboard the Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) during Continuing Promise 2025, June 19, 2025. (USMC photo)

Marines assigned to Marine Corps Security Force Regiment, FAST Battalion, Bravo Company, 5th Platoon, conduct a live-fire exercise aboard the Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) during Continuing Promise 2025, June 19, 2025.  

Motoring around Mobile Bay

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I took a short jaunt around the Alabama State Docks in upper Mobile Bay and saw some interesting visitors in town for a few months.

Of course, over at MARRS is the bound-for-reefing SS United States. The famous Cold War-era Gibbs & Cox luxury liner and troopship-in-waiting is in Mobile for materials mitigation before her planned reefing near the USS Oriskany off Okaloosa Island.

Meanwhile, over at Austal, the future USNS Point Loma (T-EPF-15) and USS Pierre (LCS-38) are fitting out, with the latter perhaps most remarkable as she is the final installment of her class.

Alabama Shipyard had a three pack of MSC-run assets in for overhaul including the John Lewis-class oiler USNS Harvey Milk (T-AO-206), the hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20), and the Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo ship USNS Medgar Evers (T-AKE-13).

All in all, it was a beautiful day.