File:US Navy 060509-N-3714J-054 Two Sailors prepare boxes to be air lifted in support of Project Handclasp from Military Sealift Command (MSC) hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19).jpg

English: Pacific Ocean (May 9, 2006) - Storekeeper 3rd Class Christian Sabandal of Los Angeles, Calif., and Storekeeper 3rd Class Rommer Gonzales of San Diego, Calif., prepare boxes to be air lifted in support of Project Handclasp from Military Sealift Command (MSC) hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19). Mercy is on a five-month deployment during which it will visit areas of South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands where its crew and several health and civic-related organizations will work together to aid in humanitarian assistance and civic efforts. Project Handclasp accepts and transports educational, humanitarian and goodwill material overseas on a space-available basis in U.S. Navy ships. Materials are distributed directly to needy recipients by U.S. service personnel stationed in overseas areas or embarked on U.S. Navy ships, which visit these areas. 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 to 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, which have significant medical capabilities. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Erika N. Jones (RELEASED)