USNS Mercy Transits waters near the Ulithi Atoll
PACIFIC OCEAN (March 20, 2018) Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) anchors in waters near the Ulithi Atoll while en route for its first mission stop of Pacific Partnership 2018 (PP18). PP18’s mission is to work collectively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase stability and security in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships across the Indo-Pacific Region. Pacific Partnership, now in its 13th iteration, is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Cameron Pinske/Released)