Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Patrick Smith, a native of Bainbridge, is currently deployed aboard the hospital ship USNS Comfort, which is currently helping the Haitian relief effort. USNS Comfort is presently conducting humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations in the wake of the Jan. 12 earthquake. The ship, with its complement of hospital facilities, make them well-suited for humanitarian assistance and disaster response missions. Petty Officer Smith is a culinary specialist, responsible for managing dining facilities and food service onboard the ship.