Large military hospital ship docks at Port Miami before upcoming humanitarian mission

MIAMI – A giant sendoff from South Florida as navy officers and crew members onboard one of many U.S. Navy’s largest hospital ships made a cease in Miami earlier than leaving on their subsequent humanitarian mission.

The USNS Consolation docked at Port Miami Sunday morning to choose up provides and extra help.

Beginning Sunday, the ship’s 1000 crew members, which embrace navy personnel and civil service mariners, are embarking on Operation Persevering with Promise, which is able to ship help and medical providers to nations which might be nonetheless struggling to get better from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Earlier than departing port, Native 10 Information received an opportunity to tour the massive medical ship, which was initially designed to deal with mass casualty incidents throughout instances of struggle.

Amongst these on board are a number of sailors with ties to South Florida, together with Petty Officer First Class Moises Rodriguez, who graduated from Barry College and has two brothers residing in Broward County.

“That is my first time that I’ve really finished it, and I’m very enthusiastic about doing it,” stated Rodriguez. “I feel it’s actually good what we’re doing, as a result of it will tie the relationships that now we have with all of the nations to the south. And never solely that, we’re all the time there to assist the individuals in want.”

The top of U.S. Southern Command was additionally readily available Sunday to assist see the vessel off.

Along with 12 working rooms, the ship additionally has 4 intensive care items and greater than 1000 hospital beds.

It will likely be stationed within the Caribbean and Central America for the subsequent 60 days earlier than heading again to its homeport in Virginia.