USS Comfort Command Senior Chief Aurelio Ayala was relieved from the ship's Medical Treatment Facility July 9, 2015. (U.S. Navy)
NORFOLK, Va. — Navy hospital ship Comfort’s senior enlisted leader has been relieved of his duties Thursday following an alcohol-related incident in Panama, Military Sealift Command said.
Command Senior Chief Aurelio Ayala has been temporarily reassigned to Military Sealift Command in Norfolk, Va., pending an investigation.
A statement from the command did not provide specifics on what led to Ayala’s removal.
Comfort is on a humanitarian mission to 11 countries in Central America, South America and the Caribbean, where the 700-member crew is conducting medical clinics, performing on-board surgeries and taking part in charity work.
Ayala’s removal will not impact the Comfort’s mission, the statement said.