200326-N-VI515-1022 PACIFIC OCEAN (March 26, 2020) Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Jesús Montes, from Houston, places a blood sample on a test slide for microscopic staining aboard Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) March 26. Mercy deployed in support of the nation’s COVID-19 response efforts, and will serve as a referral hospital for non-COVID-19 patients currently admitted to shore-based hospitals. This allows shore base hospitals to focus their efforts on COVID-19 cases. One of the Department of Defense’s missions is Defense Support of Civil Authorities. DoD is supporting the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the lead federal agency, as well as state, local and public health authorities in helping protect the health and safety of the American people. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Erwin Jacob Miciano)