Air Force update for COVID-19

By Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs / Published April 28, 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 28, 2020
The 169th Fighter Wing, South Carolina Air National Guard, saluted the healthcare professionals in South Carolina with a statewide flyover of more than 60 hospitals.

See photos of their flyover here: https://www.dvidshub.net/image/6190109/169th-fighter-wing-honors-south-carolina-healthcare-professionals
https://www.dvidshub.net/image/6189722/169th-fighter-wing-salutes-south-carolina-healthcare-workers

 

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Airmen and Soldiers with the Rhode Island National Guard continued voluntary COVID-19 mapping efforts with the Rhode Island Department of Health to reach contacts of positive cases. This effort is to educate about quarantine and isolation and also ask if anyone is in need of assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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The New Mexico Air National Guard continues to support the communities around the state. Members of the 150th Mission Support Group and the 210th Red Horse Squadron combined to load, deliver, and unload over 12,000 pounds of food to the Zia Pueblo Northwest.

Read more about their efforts here: https://www.dvidshub.net/news/368579/tacos-deliver-supplies-new-mexico-pueblos

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The West Virginia National Guard's Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. James Hoyer, added a sixth line of effort to their COVID-19 response, including state surge capacity and capability as an objective moving forward. Since beginning operations in support of the state's COVID-19 response 45 days ago, the WVNG has completed 674 missions through our six lines of effort of operationalizing of the event, stabilizing the population, providing logistical movement of critical supplies, innovation, state surge capacity and capability, and conducting data analysis to combat the virus. Currently, 704 members of the WVNG are on duty serving the citizens of the State of West Virginia.

Read more about their efforts here: https://www.dvidshub.net/news/368588/wva-guard-outlines-sixth-line-effort-covid-19-response

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C-17 Globemaster III aircrew assigned to the 3rd Airlift Squadron, Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, are fitted and trained for personal protective equipment use on April 8, 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect the nation. This training prepared 3rd AS Airmen for any and all Department of Defense COVID-19 response efforts, to include the airlift of COVID-positive U.S. service members.

See photos of their efforts here: https://www.dvidshub.net/image/6190397/3rd-airlift-squadron-trains-covid-19-response-efforts

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Airmen from the 621st Contingency Response Wing partnered with The Leaven, Vacaville Fire Department and local churches near Travis Air Force Base, California, to support a food drive to help those in need during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Airmen volunteered to collect nonperishable items and delivered more than 1,600 pounds of food to the Mariposa Head Start Center in Vacaville, California, on April 24, after a two-week food drive. Food items collected included nonperishables such as: canned fruit, vegetables and proteins; grains and cereals; snacks and juice boxes for children.

Read more about their efforts here: https://www.amc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2167544/airmen-support-food-drive-to-help-those-in-need/

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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.

Dynamic response keeps AFGSC mission ready during pandemic - https://www.afgsc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2165770/dynamic-response-keeps-afgsc-mission-ready-during-pandemic/

GPS celebrates 25th year of operation - https://www.spaceforce.mil/News/Article/2166101/gps-celebrates-25th-year-of-operation

Ellsworth AFB B-1 plays key role in US, Japan bomber-fighter integration operations - https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2167496/ellsworth-afb-b-1-plays-key-role-in-us-japan-bomber-fighter-integration-operati/

Luke Airmen surprise MSgt (ret) Ruth Heeler for her 100th birthday -

71st Rescue Squadron finds new normal -

MHAFB Enhances Joint Force Capabilities with Idaho Army National Guard - https://www.acc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2165626/mhafb-enhances-joint-force-capabilities-with-idaho-army-national-guard/

Electronic Signals moves virtual due to COVID-19 - https://www.aetc.af.mil/News/Article/2167707/electronic-signals-moves-virtual-due-to-covid-19/

8th Security Forces Squadron innovates with virtual reality training - https://www.pacaf.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2164461/8th-security-forces-squadron-innovates-with-virtual-reality-training/

Showing Respect: Honor Guard continues to serve amid COVID-19 - https://www.afmc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2167561/showing-respect-honor-guard-continues-to-serve-amid-covid-19/

Faster, smarter: virtual hiring fair recruits STEM talent - https://www.afmc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2166695/faster-smarter-virtual-hiring-fair-recruits-stem-talent/

The U.S. Air Force Lab with MassChallenge selects inaugural cohort - https://www.afmc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2167587/the-us-air-force-lab-with-masschallenge-selects-inaugural-cohort/

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Air Force Totals of COVID-19 Positive Cases as of 9 p.m., April 27, 2020.

	CASES	HOSPITALIZED	RECOVERED	DEATHS
Military	351 (+4)	7	118 (+3)	0
Civilian	191 (+5)	10	68 (+9)	0
Dependents	222 (+9)	6	68	0
Contractors	75	5 (-1)	19 (+2)	1
Total	839	28	273	1