PORTSMOUTH, Va. (June 16, 2020) – Naval Medical Center Portsmouth (NMCP) staff members Cmdr. Edwin Landaker and Lt. Cmdr. Derek Austin were recognized during an award ceremony June 16 at NMCP.
Landaker and Austin received commendation medals signed by Vice Adm. Andrew Lewis, commander, U.S. Second Fleet and Joint Force Command Norfolk, for their work aboard the hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH-20) in New York City during the COVID-19 pandemic deployment. Landaker and Austin served as liaisons and worked alongside 2nd Fleet leadership, led by Vice Adm. Lewis and Rear Adm. Edward Cashman, commander, Standing NATO Maritime Group 1. They interacted with the city's and state's emergency management agencies, health care systems/hospitals, and the Army's 44th Medical Brigade who ran the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.
During the ceremony, Cashman congratulated Landaker and Austin, and commended them for their diligence, participation and commitment.