Dr. S. Ward Casscells, assistant secretary of defense for health affairs, Navy Capt Bruce Boynton, medical treatment facility commanding officer, and Robert Leitch, director of the non-governmental organization Project Hope aboard USNS Comfort will brief live from the coast of Ecuador at 2 p.m. EDT, Aug. 17, in the DoD Briefing Room, Pentagon 2E579 via video teleconference, to provide an update on the USNS Comfort's four-month, 12-country, humanitarian mission to South America, Central America and the Caribbean.

Journalists without a Pentagon building pass will be picked up at the North Parking Entrance only. Plan to arrive no later than 45 minutes prior to the event; have proof of affiliation and two forms of photo identification. Please call (703) 697-5131 for escort into the building