200325-N-OX889-0028 NORFOLK (March 25, 2020) Navy Reserve Sailors check-in aboard the Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20). More than 120 Navy Reserve volunteers were selected to support Comfort's upcoming deployment to New York City. Comfort 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 allows shore-based 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 Zachary D. Van Nuys/Released)