United States Transportation Command

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NEW YORK (USTCNS) --- Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Comfort is a welcome sight at pier 92 in Manhattan.

Here, exhausted relief workers find a hot meal and respite from amidst the chaos and destruction at Ground Zero-the terrorist attack site. Of the many tired, worn out workers who staggered up the ramps of Comfort, one group posed an interesting picture. They wore colorful overalls, hardhats, protective gear and dress shoes.

The four-member search and rescue team from Mexico City, Mexico, called the Rescate Topos - Rescue Moles - paid their own way on the first allowed flight out of Mexico City to New York to help their North American brothers and sisters. Unfortunately, their luggage and search and rescue equipment did not make it. The team minus most of their equipment eventually made its way to Comfort. Once there, they checked in, were given toiletries and offered a place to sleep and eat.

The Rescate Topos formed after a devastating earthquake hit Mexico City in 1985. Since then, they have been to 15 disaster sites all over the world including India, Turkey, Colombia, Hungary and Japan to assist in those countries' search and rescue operations following major disasters. When they arrive in a country, not only do they help with search and rescue, but they train members of their host country in search and rescue techniques based on their past experience.

Since the rescue team's luggage was lost, they were missing some of their search and rescue equipment as well as their certification. The team contacted the Mexican Consulate, which helped them obtain the proper documentation.

USNS Comfort provided the team with the extra clothing, shoes and the protective gear they required to join the search and rescue efforts.

The Rescate Topos continue to use Comfort as a base to recharge after putting in 12-hour night shifts assisting with the search and recovery efforts at Ground Zero. Guillermo Suchil, one of the team's four members said they spent the night crawling on their hands and knees and burrowing through the rubble in search of survivors and remains and any means of identifying them.

"It is a difficult thing, but people need closure, " said Suchil. "We are ready to help in any way we can."

(FROM MILITARY SEALIFT COMMAND PUBLIC AFFAIRS)

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Rescue Moles aboard USNS Comfort

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