171021-N-PG340-101 CARIBBEAN SEA (Oct. 21, 2017) Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Samantha Novak, a respiratory therapist embarked aboard the Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20), cares for a patient. Comfort is underway operating in the vicinity of Ponce, Puerto Rico. The Department of Defense is supporting the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the lead federal agency, in helping those affected by Hurricane Maria to minimize suffering and is one component of the overall whole-of-government response effort. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Stephane Belcher/Released)