Welcome to USNS Mercy’s page managed by USNS Mercy. This page is intended to provide updated information and discussion on USNS Mercy. HISTORY.
Please visit our official homepage at http://www.mercy.navy.mil/. The third MERCY (T-AH 19) was built as an oil tanker, SS WORTH, by National Steel and Shipbuilding Co., San Diego, in 1976. Starting in July 1984, she was renamed and converted to a hospital ship by the same company. Launched on 20 July 1985, USNS MERCY was commissioned 8 November 1986. On 27 February 1987, MERCY began a training an
d humanitarian cruise to the Philippines and the South Pacific. The staff included U.S. Navy, Army, and Air Force active duty and reserve personnel; U.S. Public Health service; medical providers from the Armed Forces of the Philippines; and MSC civilian mariners. Over 62,000 outpatients and almost 1,000 inpatients were treated at seven Philippine and South Pacific ports. MERCY returned to Oakland, CA, on 13 July 1987. USNS MERCY is currently in homeport, San Diego, California. OPERATION DESERT SHIELD/DESERT STORM. On 9 August 1990, MERCY was activated in support of Operation Desert Shield. Departing on 15 August 1990, she arrived in the Arabian Gulf on 15 September 1990. For the next six months, MERCY provided support to the multinational allied forces. She admitted 690 patients and performed almost 300 surgeries. After treating the 21 American and two Italian repatriated prisoners of war, she departed for home on 16 March 1991, arriving in Oakland on 23 April 1991. PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP 2008. MERCY treated more than 90,000 people in the Republic of the Philippines, Vietnam, Timor-Leste, Papua New Guinea, and the Federated States of Micronesia. The services that were provided included: surgery, primary care, radiological tests, medication distribution, laboratory tests, physical therapy, optometry, and dental procedures. The non-direct patient care services included: engineering and construction projects, biomedical repair, veterinary services, and environmental health projects. MERCY also provided the host nations with training on a variety of topics such as basic life support, obstetric nursing, and nutrition. PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP 2010. MERCY treated more than 109,000 people in Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Timor-Leste, and Papua New Guinea. We admitted 1,580 patients onboard and performed 859 surgeries. (Update in progress….) PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP 2012. RIM OF THE PACIFIC (RIMPAC) EXERCISE 2014. PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP 2015. PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP 2016.
04/21/2026
On April 17, 2026, the USNS Mercy held a time-honored Change of Command Ceremony, marking a significant moment in the ship's history. CAPT Damian M. Storz relieved CAPT Charles E. Dickerson Jr. as the Commanding Officer. RADM Benjamin Nicholson served as the presiding officer of the ceremony.
We congratulate CAPT Damian M. Storz and extend our heartfelt gratitude to CAPT Charles E. Dickerson Jr. for his dedicated service. Here's to continued success and excellence to USNS Mercy!
U.S. Navy photos by ET1 David Grajales and MC2 Justin Ontiveros, USNS Mercy
04/16/2026
Mercy Commanding Officer, CAPT Charles E. Dickerson, held an all hands call April 14, 2026, recognizing Sailors on their achievements.
LCDR Corangela Andrada: Recognized for earning her Surface Warfare Medical Department Officer pin, the first to do so onboard Mercy in six years.
Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal:
HMCS Eulogio Gutierrez
HMCS German Cea
LSC Can Zhu
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal:
HM2 Richard Jose
HM3 Benjamin Seapno
HM3 Carlitos Cruz
Sailor of The Quarter:
LS2 Ifeoluwa Onifade
03/19/2026
USNS Mercy's (T-AH 19) Senior Enlisted Leader, Command Master Chief Andrew "Andy" Redman, was pinned at Sea N' Air Golf Course in Naval Air Station North Island March 18, 2026.
Mercy crew and fellow shipmates were in attendance to support CMC Redman during this milestone. Big congratulations to CMC Redman as he makes the next step in his journey!
11/01/2025
Congratulations to CDR Diana Tran-Yu, MSC, USN. You will be missed. Thank you for all you do as USNS Mercy- Director for Administration (DFA). We wish you all the best on your next tour at Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (BUMED).
'Fair Winds and Following Seas' 🫡🇺🇸🚢⚓️🌊
09/23/2025
MERCEX comes to a close!
Despite the ship being away from home port, training continues at Naval Medical Center San Diego. Mercy Sailors conducted Basic Life Support, Advance Trauma Life Support, Advance Burn Life Support, litter bearer and reserve admin training from Sep. 15 to Sep. 19, 2025.
09/22/2025
Sailors celebrate the continued commitment of LN2 Trenton Stallings as he reenlists Sep. 12, 2025. LN2's retained expertise strengthens our capabilities and mission readiness. We honor his decision to keep serving our nation.
09/17/2025
Congratulations to the 's newest Chief Petty Officers HMC Eduardo Cruz and LSC Joseph Reboja!!! ⚓
08/07/2025
Congratulations to LSC(Sel) Joseph Reboja and HMC(Sel) Eduardo Cruz on their selection to U.S. Navy !!! Being selected as a chief represents the most significant change in an enlisted Sailor's career. Less than 10 percent of all who enter the enlisted ranks will be selected. The level of responsibility they assume is a reflection of their leadership potential as well as technical prowess.
08/07/2025
Happy Belated Medical Service Corps Birthday🎂 🇺🇸⚓️
(L-R) CDR Diana Tran-Yu, DFA; LT Jonathan Oliva, A-SUPPO; CAPT Darla Dietrich, XO; CDR Michael Terrenzi, DCSS
08/04/2025
Commanding Officer, Charles E. Dickerson, held an all hands call August 1, 2025, recognizing Sailors on their achievements right before a command outing at the San Diego Zoo. Congratulations to the following Sailors!!!
YN2 Sean White: Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal
HM1 Anneriz Bulanadi: Presidential Volunteer Service Award
YN2 Sean White, HM2 Lindsay McCarthney, and HM2 Michael English: Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
04/21/2026
04/16/2026
03/19/2026
11/01/2025
09/23/2025
09/22/2025
09/17/2025
08/07/2025
08/07/2025
08/04/2025