200326-M-DY697-002 CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (March 26, 2020) U.S. Marines with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, prepare to depart Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, March 26, 2020 to support the Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19). 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-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. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Melissa Marnell/Released)