USNS Mercy Deployment

Credit: Petty Officer 2nd Class Ryan Breeden | Date Taken: 03/25/2020
PACIFIC OCEAN (March 25, 2020) Video package of Sailors aboard the hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) preparing the ship for non-COVID-19 patients. 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 base 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 video by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ryan M. Breeden)