File:US Navy 060603-N-6501M-049 A Filipino boy's family gives him moral support as he shows signs of nervousness before taking a ride on an MH-60 Seahawk helicopter.jpg

English: Jolo, Philippines (June 03, 2006) - A Filipino boy's family gives him moral support as he shows signs of nervousness before taking a ride on an MH-60 Seahawk helicopter. He and other patients from the Sulu Provincial Hospital are shuttled by the Island Knights of Guam-based Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Two Five (HSC-25), from the city of Jolo to the U.S. Military Sealift Command (MSC) hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19), for medical treatment during the ship's one week stay in the Sulu province of the Philippines. Mercy's medical staff will provide a multitude of medical, dental and veterinary care for the people who live in this region, together with their Filipino counterparts, both at local city medical centers and on the ship itself. Mercy's stop in Jolo is one of many, during its humanitarian deployment to South and Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands. Mercy is able to rapidly respond to a range of situations on short notice and is capable of supporting medical and humanitarian assistance needs with special medical equipment and a multi-specialized medical team, providing 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 Chief Photographer's Mate Edward G. Martens (RELEASED)