Philippines (May 20, 2006) - The Military Sealift Command (MSC) hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) sits anchored off the coast of Manila, Philippines, during her first night in the region. Mercy is on a scheduled five-month deployment to deliver aid and humanitarian assistance to the Pacific Islands, and Southeast Asia. The medical crew aboard Mercy will provide general and ophthalmology surgery, basic medical evaluation and treatment, preventive medicine treatment, dental screenings and treatment, optometry screenings, eyewear distribution, public health training and veterinary services as requested by the host nations. Mercy is uniquely capable of supporting medical and humanitarian assistance needs and is configured with special medical equipment and a robust multi-specialized medical team who can provide a range of services ashore as well as aboard the ship. The medical staff is augmented with an assistance crew, many of whom are part of non-governmental organizations that have significant medical capabilities. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Troy Latham