Surgical staff members prepare a patient for surgery.

PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 14, 2012) Surgical staff members assigned to the Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) prep Cpl. Aaron Morice for a surgical procedure before the final surgery of Pacific Partnership 2012. Pacific Partnership, an annual U.S. Pacific Fleet humanitarian and civic assistance mission, brings together U.S. military personnel, host and partner nations, non-government organizations and international agencies to build stronger relationships and develop disaster response capabilities throughout the Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Roadell Hickman) File# 120814-N-KW566-006