200329-N-EV253-1125 ATLANTIC OCEAN (March 29, 2020) Victor Deveso, a civil service mariner, stands as mate of the watch while Quartermaster 2nd Class Rodney Starkes steers the hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) as the ship transits the Atlantic Ocean on its way to New York City in support of the nation’s COVID-19 response efforts. This allows shore- based hospitals to focus their efforts on COVID-19 cases. Comfort 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 MC2 Sara Eshleman/Released)