Air Force update for COVID-19
By Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs / Published April 17, 2020
WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- In an effort to minimize the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 and to prioritize the health and safety of Department of the Air Force personnel, the following modifications have been made:
April 17, 2020
Tomorrow, The United States Air Force Academy will hold its graduation ceremony for the Class of 2020. The ceremony will be live-streamed beginning at 11 a.m. MDT and available for on-demand viewing after the event.You can find out more about USAFA's graduation events here: https://www.usafa.edu/about/traditions/graduation/
The Department of Defense has stood up task forces across the U.S. to provide relief to state health care systems fighting COVID-19. Task Force-Southeast, led by Ninth Air Force, is the primary DOD support organization for the Federal Emergency Management Agency response to COVID-19 in FEMA Regions III and IV.Read more about this Task Force here: https://www.acc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2153794/task-force-southeast-supports-covid-19-fight/
Guam Air National Guard Airmen from the 254th REDHORSE Squadron meet with personnel from Guam Department of Public Works and Guam Power Authority to discuss logistics for a potential alternate care facility at the Guam Memorial Hospital in Tamuning, Guam April 17. See photos of their efforts here: https://www.dvidshub.net/image/6176673/guam-national-guard-conducts-logistics-assessment-covid-19-support
Airmen from the 116th Air Control Wing, Georgia Air National Guard, conduct infection control operations at Southern Pines Nursing Home in Warner Robins, Georgia, April 16. Airmen from the 116 ACW volunteered to assist with sanitizing long-term care facilities around the Georgia during Georgia National Guard COVID-19 response.
Find photos of their efforts here: https://www.dvidshub.net/image/6176089/116th-air-control-wing-assists-residents-long-term-care-facility-during-covid-19-pandemic
Airmen and Soldiers with the Colorado National Guard are supporting multiple task forces that have been deployed around the state in various capacities to support state and local officials combat the coronavirus pandemic.
Find photos of their efforts here: https://www.dvidshub.net/image/6176443/colorado-national-guard-members-support-covid-19-response-efforts
Staff Sgt. Brandon McKeever, 342nd Recruiting Squadron, B-Flight recruiter, donated boxes of scrubs to Vanderbilt Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee that could be used on the front lines of the COVID-19 battle.
Read more about his donation here: https://www.aetc.af.mil/News/Article/2153472/recruiting-service-airman-helps-people-on-covid-19-front-lines/
With more than 500 Air Force Reservists mobilized for the COVID-19 pandemic, the vast majority of reservists are still working their civilian jobs. For Master Sgt. Andy. A. Jean-Pierre, a KC-10 Extender production supervisor and a traditional reservist stationed at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, he is currently on the front lines as a veteran New York City Police Department temporary assigned to the Bronx responding to COVID-19 911 calls.
Read more about Master Sgt. Jean-Pierre's role here: https://www.514amw.afrc.af.mil/News/Articles/Article/2137621/coronavirus-demands-service-before-self/
Essential missions throughout the Air Force still continue even during this pandemic. Below are some links to stories on how these units have adapted to make sure they can continue to execute these missions despite COVID-19.
AFMC mission operational under 'new norm' - https://www.afmc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2153823/afmc-mission-operational-under-new-norm/
Yokota Medical Support Squadron ready for anything - https://www.pacaf.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2153004/yokota-medical-support-squadron-ready-for-anything/
DM, local businesses join forces to protect Airmen - https://www.acc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2153821/dm-local-businesses-join-forces-to-protect-airmen/
914 ARW announces full operational capability over converting from C-130s to KC-135s - https://www.niagara.afrc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2151103/914-arw-announces-full-operational-capability/
Air Force Totals of COVID-19 Positive Cases as of 9 p.m., April 16, 2020
| CASES | HOSPITALIZED | RECOVERED | DEATHS | |
| Military | 328 (+11) | 8 | 73 (+14) | 0 |
| Civilian | 168 (+2) | 11 (-1) | 32 (+3) | 0 |
| Dependents | 191 (+7) | 5 | 42 (+5) | 0 |
| Contractors | 70 (+6) | 4 | 9 (+1) | 1 |
| Total | 757 | 28 | 156 | 1 |
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