200429-N-LW757-1026 LOS ANGELES (April, 29 2020) Logistics

200429-N-LW757-1026
LOS ANGELES (April, 29 2020) Logistics Specialist 1st Class Ernesto Mendoza (left), from Lynwood, Calif., and Logistics Specialist Seaman Angelica Gonzalez Flores, from Los Angeles, salute the Los Angeles Port Police from the hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) April 29. Mercy deployed in support of the nation's COVID-19 response efforts, and serves 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 photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Luke Cunningham)