SAN DIEGO (Nov. 3, 2021) A civilian mariner assigned to Military Sealift Command (MSC) hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) mans a firehose during a drill in the ship’s aft steering compartment Nov. 3, 2021. The drill was a part of Mercy Exercise (MERCEX) 22-1. MERCEX 22-1 is a three-week-long pierside and underway training evolution that highlights integration, training and camaraderie between MSC civilian mariners and Medical Treatment Facility (MTF) Sailors. USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) can steam to assist anywhere to provide relief as a symbol of Navy Medicine’s abilities around the world, and must be in a five-day-activation status in order to support missions over the horizon, and be ready, reliable and resilient to support mission commanders. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jake Greenberg)