200323-N-DC385-2264 SAN DIEGO (March 23, 2020) The hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) departs Naval Base San Diego. Mercy is deploying 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 3rd Class Cosmo Walrath/Released)