The Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) played host to a visit from the Surgeon General of the United States, Vice Adm. Jerome Adams and Principle Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, Thomas McCaffery Tuesday, in San Diego. The tour was part of the Uniformed Services University (USU) Board of Regents seminar in San Diego.
Adams, McCaffery and a group from USU, were led on a tour of the ship by Capt. John Rotruck, commanding officer of Mercy’s Military Treatment Facility, and Capt, Lynelle Boamah, executive officer of Mercy’s Medical Treatment Facility. The group followed a patient’s path of care, beginning with the flight deck, and into the casualty reception area, through pre-operation, operating room, recovery and intensive care. Along the way, they were able to get hands on with several displays and interactive patient simulation mannequins.
“I have been on USNS Comfort, so I am familiar with the Navy’s hospital ships and their capabilities,” said Adams. “Being here on Mercy is a great opportunity for me to see how things are done in the Pacific, and the differences between the two ships. These are amazing ships and real assets to the United States military and for our humanitarian mission abroad.”
Mercy is one of two hospital ships owned and operated by Military Sealift Command. Mercy conducts operations in the Pacific area of responsibility under the guidance of U.S Pacific Command and Commander Pacific Fleet. Since 2005, in the wake of the tsunami in Indonesia, Mercy and its sister ship, USNS Comfort on the East Coast, have participated in humanitarian and disaster recovery missions. Mercy’s last humanitarian mission, Pacific Partnership 2018, concluded in June 2018. USNS Mercy returned from its Pacific Partnership mission to Southeast Asia in June of 2018.
Mercy is currently on station in San Diego, Calif. in a reduced operating status, training and planning for its next mission.