PACIFIC OCEAN (Apr. 13, 2021) Capt. Timothy Quast, the embarked Medical Treatment Facility's commanding officer aboard the Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Mercy's (T-AH 19), center, stands outside of the ship's bridge it leaves Naval Air Station North Island (NASNI). Mercy is underway off the coast of southern California completing a Dynamic Interface exercise, where the ship's aviation facilities will be evaluated for compatibility with the V-22 Osprey and MH-60 Sea Hawk, and establish launch and recovery windows in adverse weather conditions. Mercy recently returned to its homeport in San Diego from a regular overhaul in Portland, Ore., where improvements were made to its flight deck to support multiple aircraft platforms. Mercy must be in a five-day-activation status in order to project combat power over the horizon, and be ready, reliable and resilient to support mission commanders. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jake Greenberg)