200321-N-NN369-2008 SAN DIEGO (March 21, 2020) A Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southwest contractor directs pallets being craned aboard the Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) at Naval Base San Diego, March 21, 2020. Mercy is preparing to deploy 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 will allow shore-based hospitals to use their Intensive Care Units and ventilators for COVID-19 patients.(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jessica Paulauskas/Released)