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Air Force update for COVID-19

By Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs / Published May 01, 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:

May 1, 2020
Secretary of the Air Force Barbara M. Barrett visited Hill Air Force Base April 30 in order to get a firsthand look at critical mission activities here and how the base was operating under current restrictions due to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic.

Read more about her visit here: https://www.hill.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2172850/secaf-tours-hill-missions-to-view-operational-capabilities-during-pandemic/

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Kaleth O. Wright visited Task Force-Southeast April 30 to see first-hand how the unit is supporting the whole-of-government approach to the Department of Defense's response to COVID-19.

Read more about their visit here: https://www.9af.acc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2172185/top-air-force-leaders-vision-realized-with-stand-up-of-tf-southeast/

Performing the duties of the Undersecretary of the Air Force, Shon Manasco visited Vance Air Force Base, Ohio, to observe pilot training operations. Vance AFB gave the undersecretary a first-hand look at how the pilot training pipeline has been impacted by COVID-19, and how operations have continued through innovation and dedication to the mission.

Read more about his visit here: https://www.aetc.af.mil/News/Article/2172560/acting-undersecretary-visits-vance-to-observe-covid-19-impact-on-pilot-training/

When the tasking came to support the United States' whole-of-government response to COVID-19 and what would become the first operational deployment of the Transport Isolation System, the 521st Air Mobility Operations Wing answered the call. The wing and its Airmen, who are forward deployed on behalf of Air Mobility Command, are spread across nine countries and 17 locations, spanning more than 5,135 miles, making it possible to employ the right effect at the right place at the right time.

Learn more about the Airmen of the 521st AMOW here: https://www.amc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2171381/521st-amow-works-behind-the-scenes-to-execute-global-mobility-operations/

Officials at Air Force Global Strike Command responsible for two-thirds of the nation's nuclear weapons enlisted a new partner in the fight against COVID-19–academia and industry. Through a partnership with the Cyber Innovation Center, Louisiana Tech University, and Virtualitics Inc., they officials rapidly developed a daily report consisting of infection rate projections based on a COVID-19 Susceptible, Exposed, Infected, Resistant (SEIR) model.

Learn more about the effort here: https://www.afgsc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2171749/nuclear-command-leverages-academia-industry-data-in-covid-19-fight/

During this time of continued Air Force Innovation, the T-7A Test Team of the Air Force's new pilot trainer, the T-7A Red Hawk, has developed innovative ways to maintain the Air Force Test Center's level of excellence in support of the T-7A Test Program. The T-7A Test Team executed Distributed Test Operations (DTO) in a Mission Control Room at Ridley Mission Control Center at Edwards Air Force Base, California on April 30.

Read more about this expanded test capability here: https://www.afmc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2172547/edwards-expands-test-capabilities-with-t-7a-distributed-test-operations/

A workforce of 12 Airmen from the 58th Operations Support Squadron sewed more than 1,775 face coverings for the 58th Special Operations Wing (and its units geographically separated) and 200 for the 377th Air Base Wing Airmen living in the dorms on Kirtland Air Force Base.

Read more about their efforts here: https://www.kirtland.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2171285/58th-sow-airmen-apply-job-skills-to-make-2000-face-coverings/

New York National Guard Soldiers, Airmen and active duty and civilian medical providers on duty fighting COVID-19 in New York City are getting the benefit of a wagging tail and licks to lift their spirits.

Read more about this partnership here: https://www.dvidshub.net/news/368786/covid-19-response-troops-go-dogs-stress-relief

The front lines of the California National Guard Joint Task Force 115 response to COVID-19 includes supporting food banks, medical equipment logistics and operations of shelters. One team providing critical support from behind the scenes is the J1 section. They are the personnel tracking manpower, processing orders for state activations and ensuring individuals in the COVID-19 fight are taken care of while activated.

Read more about their efforts here: https://www.dvidshub.net/news/368923/jtf-115-j1-providing-manpower-continuity-fight-against-covid-19

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.

Thinking ahead: Agility Prime kicks off - https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2172755/thinking-ahead-agility-prime-kicks-off/

Team Whiteman bands together to continue the mission - https://www.whiteman.af.mil/News/Article/2170652/team-whiteman-bands-together-to-continue-the-mission/

Defender life savers - https://www.warren.af.mil/News/Article/2171480/defender-life-savers/

820th BDG maintains readiness during COVID-19 - https://www.dvidshub.net/image/6194155/820th-bdg-maintains-readiness-during-covid-19


97 AMW Childcare providers step up to support parents - https://www.aetc.af.mil/News/Article/2172549/97-amw-childcare-providers-step-up-to-support-parents/

Continuing the mission during COVID-19 - https://www.usafe.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2172358/continuing-the-mission-during-covid-19/

Refueling German allies - https://www.usafe.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2172312/refueling-german-allies/

52 OSS Weather Flight storm through COVID-19 pandemic - https://www.usafe.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2172314/52-oss-weather-flight-storm-through-covid-19-pandemic/

Air Force Totals of COVID-19 Positive Cases as of 9 p.m., April 30, 2020.