U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command > Press Room

July 4, 2025

MANTA, Ecuador — The Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) arrived in Manta, Ecuador for the third mission stop of Continuing Promise 2025 (CP 25), July 4, 2025. “We look forward to building upon our relationship with Ecuador through medical care and exchanges, community relations events, and experiencing the vibrant culture of Manta,” said Capt. Ryan Kendall, commodore, Destroyer Squadron 40 and CP 25 mission commander. “Our combined efforts to enhance readiness and strengthen our partnership will lead to a safer, more secure region.”

250701-A-LS473-1017 PANAMA CANAL, Panama (July 1, 2025) Sailors aboard the Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) pass under Centennial Bridge as they transit the Panama Canal during Continuing Promise 2025, July 1, 2025. Continuing Promise 2025 is 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. (U.S. Army photo by Cpl. William Hunter)

July 3, 2025

USNS Comfort Departs Colón, Panama

COLÓN, Panama — The Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) departed from Colón, Panama, after spending five days providing medical and dental care, veterinary care, subject matter exchanges, and community relations event in Panama City, Veracruz, and Colón, Panama, for Continuing Promise 2025 (CP25).

The Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) sit at anchor during Continuing Promise 2015. Continuing Promise is a U.S. Southern Command-sponsored and U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet-conducted deployment to conduct civil-military operations including humanitarian-civil assistance, subject matter expert exchanges, medical, dental, veterinary and engineering support and disaster response to partner nations and to show U.S. support and commitment to Central and South America and the Caribbean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Gary Johnson/Released)

July 1, 2025

Continuing Promise 2025 Mission Update: Ecuador

MAYPORT, Fla. — The USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) is now scheduled to conduct its Continuing Promise 2025 mission stop in Manta, Ecuador from July 4-10, instead of the previously planned July 12-19. Adjusting the mission dates allows the USNS Comfort to maintain readiness to support U.S. Navy global operations while delivering important humanitarian assistance. The U.S. Navy is committed to working with Ecuador to promote public health, security, and prosperity.

Navy and Marine planners from more than 20 countries gathered during the UNITAS 2025 Final Planning Conference in Jacksonville, Fla. The conference brought together representatives from the U.S. and partner nations to finalize plans for UNITAS 2025, the 66th iteration of the world’s longest-running multinational maritime exercise.

June 27, 2025

U.S. Fourth Fleet Holds UNITAS 2025 Final Planning Conference

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet hosted the UNITAS 2025 final planning conference (FPC) from June 23-27, building upon the momentum established during the main-planning conference held in April and initial planning conference held in February. The FPC brought together representatives from the U.S. and partner nations to finalize plans for UNITAS 2025, the 66th iteration of the world’s longest-running multinational maritime exercise.

A white U.S. military hospital ship floats in the ocean while a military helicopter approaches it

June 26, 2025

Continuing Promise 2025 Mission Update: Panama

MIAMI, Fla. — Balancing operational requirements and contingency readiness, the USNS Comfort will remain in the Caribbean Sea and continue to execute its Continuing Promise 2025 mission. The ship's planned mission stop in Panama will now take place in Colón from June 25-July 1, instead of Panama City as previously scheduled.

250625-A-LS473-1017 COLÓN, Panama (June 25, 2025) The Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) arrives in Colón, Panama during Continuing Promise 2025, June 25, 2025. Continuing Promise 2025 is 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. (U.S. Army photo by Cpl. William Hunter)

June 26, 2025

USNS Comfort Arrives in Colón, Panama

COLÓN, Panama — The Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) arrived in Colón, Panama as part of Continuing Promise 2025 (CP25), June 25, 2025.

250616-A-LS473-1067 ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada (June 16, 2025) The Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) departs from St. George’s, Grenada, during Continuing Promise 2025, June 16, 2025. Continuing Promise 2025 is 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. (U.S. Army photo by Cpl. William Hunter)

June 24, 2025

USNS COMFORT DEPARTS GRENADA DURING CONTINUING PROMISE 2025

SAINT GEORGE'S, Grenada — The Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) departed St. George’s, Grenada, June 16, 2025, concluding a seven-day mission as part of Continuing Promise 2025 (CP25). This visit marked the third Continuing Promise mission stop to Grenada since 2007, and the second visit to Grenada by Comfort.

Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Cole (DDG-67) moors off the coast of Charleston, South Carolina, April 15, 2025 during Exercise Southern Lightning. For the exercise, Naval Information Warfare Center Atlantic tested several pieces of equipment as part of their routine scientific mission to enhance the interoperability and performance of various naval communications system configurations and capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Emily Farnsworth) [Stock Photo]

June 12, 2025

USS Cole Assists Royal Canadian Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, Conduct At-Sea Transfer of Intercepted Contraband

CARIBBEAN SEA — The Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Cole (DDG 67), supporting maritime southern border operations, conducted a hold-and-transfer of 245 kilograms of contraband recovered by the Royal Canadian Navy Harry DeWolf-class offshore patrol vessel HMCS William Hall (AOPV 433) in the Caribbean Sea June 9. The Reliance-class U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Cutter Vigorous (WMEC 627) accepted the contraband from the Cole’s embarked USCG Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) June 11 during a rendezvous at sea in the Caribbean.

250610-N-DF135-1044 ST. GEORGE’S, GRENADA (June 10, 2025) Honorable Philip Telesford, Minister of Health of Grenada, speaks at the Continuing Promise 2025 opening ceremony in St. George’s, Grenada, June 10, 2025. Continuing Promise 2025 is 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. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Deven Fernandez)

June 11, 2025

USNS Comfort Arrives in Grenada for Continuing Promise 2025

ST. GEORGE'S, Grenada — The Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) arrived in St.George’s, Grenada, to provide a variety of medical treatments to include: dental, family medicine, internal medicine, optometry, nursing, pharmacy, biomedical repair, lab, radiology, X-ray and veterinary medicine as a part of Continuing Promise 2025 (CP25), June 9.

June 6, 2025

USS Cole Relieves USS Gravely, Assumes Southern Border Mission

MAYPORT, Fla. — The Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Cole (DDG 67) departed Naval Station Mayport, Florida, to support U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) southern border operations, June 5. The Cole, homeported in Norfolk, Va., will deploy under U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. Fourth Fleet. The deployment aims to enhance maritime security and support interagency collaboration in the region through presence operations and the support of an embarked U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET).

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