060615-N-5863B-084 Manama, Bahrain (June 15, 2006) - Commander U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/5th Fleet, Vice Adm. Patrick Walsh, takes part in a ribbon cutting ceremony, along with Col. Lawrence Sansone, senior U.S. Army Corps of Engineers representative; and Mr. Michael Good, director of NEX operations, during the opening of Naval Support Activity Bahrain's new Installation Services Support Center (ISSC). Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bahrain's new 188,000 square-foot ISSC named "Freedom Souq," which houses the NEX; various Morale, Welfare and Recreation facilities; post office; and Navy Federal Credit Union under one roof. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Carolla Bennett (RELEASED)
060616-N-3532C-233 Tawi Tawi, Philippines (June 16, 2006) – Musician 2nd Class Brandon Barbee and the U.S. Navy Show Band entertain local residents at a Medical and Dental Civil Action Project (MED/DENCAP) held by the U.S. Military Sealift Command (MSC) Hospital Ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) during the ship’s visit to the city on a scheduled humanitarian mission. The Norfolk-based band is deployed with Mercy during its five-month humanitarian assistance deployment to South Asia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands. The medical crew aboard Mercy has conducted medical operations ashore and aboard ship where they have provided general and ophthalmologic surgery, basic medical evaluation and treatment, preventive medicine treatment, dental screenings and treatment, optometry screenings, eyewear distribution, public health training and veterinary services as requested by the host nations. 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 who can 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 nongovernmental organizations that have significant medical capabilities. U.S. Navy photo by Journalist Seaman Joseph Caballero (RELEASED)