For the second time in the last two years, a San Diego-based Naval medical ship is headed for Southeast Asia. This time, the USNS Mercy is going on a proactive mission. KPBS Reporter Kenny Goldberg has the story.
The Mercy spent nearly half of 2004 in Southeast Asia to help survivors of the tsunami. The ship's medical staff treated more than 100-thousand patients.
Today, the ship heads back to the region for five months to provide general medical and dental care.
Mercy's captain Joseph Moore says it's a wonderful feeling to help people in need.
Moore: Oh it's tremendous. This is a tremendous opportunity, a very unique opportunity. We continue to build relationships, it's really the face of America that's going forth.
Captain Moore says the Mercy is a fully equipped floating hospital. It has 12 operating rooms, and intensive care unit, and a burn care center. Moore says there's very little the medical staff can't do. Kenny Goldberg, KPBS News.
