Visual Masterworks – Professional Photography

Combat Camera Pacific – 2006 Mercy Deployment

Tawi Tawi, Republic of the Philippines

Part 04

The final stop  – Tawi Tawi, an island located in the Southern Region of the Philippines.  Medical and Dental Civil Action Program at Sanga Sanga Air Force Base located near the city of Tawi Tawi.  The hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19), and its crew provided a multitude of medical, dental and veterinary care for the people who live in this region of the South Philippines.  This care is provided by a portion of Mercy’s staff working side by side with their Filipino counterparts at several medical centers in the city, as well as patients being given care on the ship itself.  Mercy’s stop in Tawi Tawi is the third operational port 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 photos by Chief Photographer’s Mate Edward G. Martens (RELEASED)

Tawi Tawi, Philippines – (June 14, 2006)

– A group of Filipino children gather together for a picture expressing their happiness after having watched the U. S. Navy Showband perform during a special concert presented at the Batu Batu Naval Base on a neighboring island near Tawi Tawi.  Members of the U.S. Navy Show Band, are attached to the hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19).  Mercy’s stop in Tawi Tawi is the third operational port 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 photos by Chief Photographer’s Mate Edward G. Martens (RELEASED)

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