English: Chittagong, Bangladesh (July 2, 2006) – Operation Smile volunteers Janet Casabon Benowitz and Dr. Bill Pond anesthetize a young child before undergoing corrective plastic surgery on his cleft lip aboard U.S. Naval hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19), during the ship’s visit to provide humanitarian and civic assistance to the people of Bangladesh. Mercy is on a five-month deployment to South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands, having recently completed 24 days of humanitarian assistance to the people of the southern Philippines. The medical crew aboard Mercy will provide general and ophthalmology 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 that 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 Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Joseph Caballero (RELEASED)