Air Force update for COVID-19
By Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs / Published April 23, 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 23, 2020
After careful consideration and close coordination with participating nations and units, Pacific Air Forces has cancelled the Red Flag-Alaska 20-2 exercise scheduled for June 11 - 26 at Eielson Air Force Base and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska.
Read the announcement here: https://www.pacaf.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2160765/pacific-air-forces-cancels-second-iteration-of-red-flag-alaska/
The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center's, Air Force CBRN Defense Systems Branch partnered with the Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense, along with many other organizations across the Department of Defense and academia, to deliver an isolation container prototype to Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, April 21, to test for potential use as a transport module for individuals infected with the COVID-19 virus and other highly infectious diseases.
Read more about the isolation container prototype test here: https://www.afmc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2160454/aflcmc-led-team-delivers-isolation-container-prototype-for-testing/
Airmen with the 219th RED HORSE Squadron helped with loading and staging supplies at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana, to be delivered to the Metra in Billings, Montana. The Metra is being used as an alternative care facility to ensure Montana has medical facilities necessary to meet the governor's phase re-opening criteria for Montana during Operation COVID Shield.
A second wave of Reserve Airmen medical professionals have been mobilized and began their way to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey to help with the fight against COVID-19 in New York City. There are currently 275 reserve medical professionals mobilized for COVID-19 operations.
Read more about the story of the 307 Bomb Wing mobilization here: https://www.307bw.afrc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2161307/barksdale-reserve-citizen-airmen-double-down-on-covid-19-response/
See photos from the 911 Airlift Wing mobilization here: https://www.dvidshub.net/image/6183617/911th-aw-covid-19-mobilization
Security Forces Airmen with the 104th Fighter Wing and military police Soldiers from the 211th Military Police Battalion, 747th Military Police Company, are working jointly as a Quick Reaction Force in response to COVID-19. Their security teams are working closely with Massachusetts Emergency Management interagency partners to provide assistance.
Read more about their efforts here: https://www.dvidshub.net/news/368197/rain-shine-supporting-together
It's been more than a month since Air University's degree-granting schools had to abruptly close their doors and move to virtual teaching because of social distancing measures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of this, hundreds of students attending Air War College, Air Command and Staff College and the School of Advanced Air and Space Studies found themselves having to stay at home and connecting to their teachers and each other through laptops, AU IT systems and social media to complete their education.
Read more about how Air University has adapted their programs here: https://www.aetc.af.mil/News/Article/2161415/air-university-advanced-education-continues-from-dens-living-rooms/
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.
US, Japan bomber-fighter integration demonstrates dynamic force employment - https://www.pacaf.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2161283/us-japan-bomber-fighter-integration-demonstrates-dynamic-force-employment/
Innovative thinking leads to first local E-4B wash since flood - https://www.acc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2161910/innovative-thinking-leads-to-first-local-e-4b-wash-since-flood/
First Sergeants adapt to COVID-19 pandemic - https://www.aetc.af.mil/News/Article/2161408/first-sergeants-adapt-to-covid-19-pandemic/
Five minutes to thrive: Reducing telework burnout - https://www.minot.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2161088/five-minutes-to-thrive-reducing-telework-burnout/
Five minutes to thrive: Kids coping with COVID-19 - https://www.minot.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2161071/five-minutes-to-thrive-kids-coping-with-covid-19/
LRAFB C-130s load HIMARS, train with Army - https://www.amc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2161806/lrafb-c-130s-load-himars-train-with-army/
100 ARW assists transient Airmen - https://www.dvidshub.net/image/6184581/100-arw-assists-transient-airmen
Air Force Reserve recruiters take enlistments online - https://www.419fw.afrc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2161016/air-force-reserve-recruiters-take-enlistments-online/
78th LRS, 94th APS reuniting families - https://www.robins.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2160473/78th-lrs-94th-aps-reuniting-families/
Air Force Totals of COVID-19 Positive Cases as of 9 p.m., April 22, 2020.
| CASES | HOSPITALIZED | RECOVERED | DEATHS | |
| Military | 340 (+3) | 7 | 107 (+4) | 0 |
| Civilian | 178 (-3)* | 9 (-2) | 56 (+13) | 0 |
| Dependents | 205 (+1) | 6 | 61 | 0 |
| Contractors | 81 (-2)* | 6 | 16 (+1) | 1 |
| Total | 804 | 28 | 240 | 1 |
*Corrects previous report.
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