Air Force update for COVID-19

By Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs / Published April 22, 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 22, 2020
Secretary of the Air Force Barbara M. Barrett, visited Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, yesterday to learn more about the countless ways Air Force Materiel Command Airmen are supporting the whole-of-government response to the coronavirus pandemic while continuing to safely execute the command's critical missions for the warfighter.

Read about her visit to AFMC here: https://www.afmc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2160301/secretary-barrett-views-afmc-missions-in-action-during-covid-19/

In addition, Barrett visited Air Mobility Command headquarters and the 618th Air Operations Center, AMC's execution arm for providing America's global reach, at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, April 21, 2020. The SecAF visited 618th AOC to meet Airmen and see how they continue to accomplish their mission in light of social distancing requirements.

See photos of her trip to AMC here: https://www.amc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2159863/secaf-visits-amc-sees-mission-in-action-during-social-distancing/

While supporting the 37th Training Wing and basic military training personnel, Airmen from the 59th Medical Wing have stepped up to the fight against COVID-19 by beginning testing samples taken from patients suspected of having coronavirus. The in-house testing at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas' Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center's pathology lab will allow for quicker results, allowing Air Force basic military training to continue while reducing the risk of infection.

See the video here: https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2158575/watch-wilford-hall-begins-in-house-covid-19-testing/

Since Colorado Gov. Jared Polis activated the Colorado National Guard to join the fight against COVID-19 March 10, 2020, space warriors of the 233rd Space Group have been on the front lines, assisting civil authorities and augmenting critical space missions. More than 10% of the Colorado Air National Guard's space force has stepped in to help in whatever capacity possible to support the community's efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Airmen from the 7th Component Maintenance Squadron and the 28th Bomb Squadron at Dyess AFB, Texas, worked together to create hand sanitizer. The Airman followed instructions from the World Health Organization on how to make the hand sanitizer, and were able to gather all of the hand sanitizer ingredients from locations on base and in the local community.

See photos of their efforts here: https://www.dyess.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2156714/dyess-airmen-create-hand-sanitizer/

Airmen and Soldiers from the Connecticut National Guard set up approximately 200 beds at Kaiser Hall at Central Connecticut State University as potential surge capacity for local hospitals in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read more about their efforts here: https://www.dvidshub.net/news/368021/guardsman-supports-covid-19-response-her-university

More than 230 Airmen and Soldiers with the Washington National Guard are working with Food Lifeline in the South Seattle industrial district processing, packing and preparing food for distribution to more than 300 food banks across Washington state. More than 1.7 million Washington state residents are utilizing food banks due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Airmen and Soldiers with the Delaware National Guard assisted the Food Bank of Delaware in providing meals to nearly 2,300 families during the first day of this week's food drive.

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.

Virtual Pacific Air Forces conference focuses on competition, resiliency - https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2159486/virtual-conference-focuses-on-competition-resiliency/

509th Communications Squadron ensures mission success during COVID-19 - https://www.whiteman.af.mil/News/Article/2158061/509th-communications-squadron-ensures-mission-success-during-covid-19/

919th SOW maintainers: Socially distant, operationally ready- https://www.919sow.afrc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2153911/919th-sow-maintainers-socially-distant-operationally-ready/

104th Communications Flight effectively supporting the mission remotely - https://www.dvidshub.net/news/368038/104th-communications-flight-effectively-supporting-mission-remotely

COVID-19 ops: Mission can't stop, won't stop at IDRC - https://www.dvidshub.net/image/6182945/covid-19-ops-mission-cant-stop-wont-stop-idrc

Online Spanish classes help air advisors maintain language proficiency during COVID-19 - https://www.amc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2159686/online-spanish-classes-help-air-advisors-maintain-language-proficiency-during-c/

Air Force Totals of COVID-19 Positive Cases as of 9 p.m., April 21, 2020.

	CASES	HOSPITALIZED	RECOVERED	DEATHS
Military	337 (-1)*	7 (-1)	103 (+5)	0
Civilian	181 (+2)	11	43 (+1)	0
Dependents	204 (+4)	6	61 (+1)	0
Contractors	83	6	15 (+1)	1
Total	805	30	222	1

*Corrects previous report.

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Air Force update for COVID-19