Observing The Band Aid Boat

Maybe we can get some additional details from Captain Robert T. Wiley, because from our point of view the band aid boat would be a very interesting topic for discussion. As we understand it, these band aid boats represent a lesson learned regarding the hospital ship deployments.

We point this out why? Because as we have discussed, motherships supporting manned platforms are an important part of the strategic peacemaking function at sea, and the MSC is proving this in situations exactly like this today. We see manned deployable systems as an important metric that needs to be considered as the Navy looks to the future regarding how it will resource towards the soft power naval deployment.

NHA TRANG, Vietnam (June 20, 2024) A band aid boat from the Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) transports a group of Vietnamese military distinguished visitors for a tour aboard the ship. The hospital ship is the first foreign military vessel to visit Nha Trang since 1975. The Pacific Partnership deployment to Vietnam continues to improve bilateral relations between the United States and Vietnam, demonstrating our continued commitment to work together to address mutual issues and concerns. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Mark Logico (Released)

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