Air Force update for COVID-19
By Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs / Published May 05, 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 5, 2020
A nine-person Polish military medical team is assisting Illinois National Guard members with COVID-19 response efforts, sharing insights gained from dealing with the outbreak in Europe. The Illinois Guard and the Polish military are partners in the Defense Department's State Partnership Program, a program that teams National Guard elements with partner nations worldwide. Read more about this partnership here: https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2175745/polish-medical-team-illinois-guard-side-by-side-in-covid-19-response/
Airmen assigned to the 62nd Aerial Port Squadron unit operating out of the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SeaTac) Air Mobility Command Passenger Terminal have implemented a new procedure to ensure the safety of their workers and the passengers who are required to travel during the pandemic. Read more about this new screening process here: https://www.amc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2176728/62nd-aps-airmen-conduct-new-covid-19-screening-at-seatac/
Senior Airman Ruben Rios, a reservist from the 514th Air Mobility Wing and New York City Fire Department firefighter, writes about his fight and recovery from COVID-19. Read more about his story here: https://www.514amw.afrc.af.mil/News/Articles/Article/2174277/not-today-covid/
The 86th Maintenance Group leads the charge for the C-130 Hercules community in procuring ion distribution units to ensure the safety of aircrews, passengers and Airmen working in and around the aircraft. An ion distribution unit uses bipolar ionization technology to replicate nature's cleaning process, creating positive and negative ions from hydrogen and oxygen molecules in water vapor in the air. This process deactivates airborne and surface viruses and allergens. Read more about their efforts here: https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2174971/86th-mxg-expanding-aeromedical-evacuation-capabilities/
Medical professionals are dealing with a surge in patients needed treatment, the general public is dawning face masks and some states are on lockdown. In the wake of changes implemented to stop the spread of COVID-19, a small yet highly capable Reserve Medical Unit in the Florida Panhandle is making significant contributions in the fight against the pandemic. Read more about this unit here: https://www.919sow.afrc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2172508/fighting-the-invisible-enemy/
Airmen and Soldiers assigned to the Pennsylvania Task Force South working at their Joint Emergency Operations Center continue to plan for missions in support the Montgomery County COVID-19 testing site with medical staff, nursing home medical staff relief, and logistics support ranging from medical PPE or food deliveries to their area of operations.See photos of their efforts here: https://www.dvidshub.net/image/6196512/ptf-south-display-proper-use-ppe-during-commanders-brief
Air Force units have recently conducted America Salutes flyovers in their local areas honoring COVID-19 responders and essential workers. Below are links to imagery from the units that have conducted flyovers:
910th Airlift Wing, two-Ship, C-130 Hercules, Air Force Salute flyover of Northeast Ohio and Western Pennsylvania hospitals
97th Air Mobility Wing in Photos: Altus Air Force Base, Vance Air Force Base Airmen 'salute' Oklahomans fighting COVID-19
Sheppard Air Force Base salutes area COVID-19 frontline fighters with Spirit Over Texoma story and photos: https://www.aetc.af.mil/News/Article/2175154/sheppard-salutes-area-covid-19-frontline-fighters-with-spirit-over-texoma/
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.
21st Space Wing enlisted keep critical USSF asset training churning during worldwide pandemic - https://www.spaceforce.mil/News/Article/2175737/21-sw-enlisted-keep-critical-ussf-asset-training-churning-during-worldwide-pand
A day in the life of an instructor pilot during COVID-19 - https://www.aetc.af.mil/News/Article/2175881/a-day-in-the-life-of-an-instructor-pilot-during-covid-19/
380th Air Expeditionary Wing executes COVID-19 prevention measures during deployment in-processing - https://www.dvidshub.net/image/6198707/380th-aew-executes-covid-19-prevention-measures-during-deployment-processing
19th Airlift Wing aids in AFSOC jump training - https://www.amc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2176722/19th-aw-aids-in-afsoc-jump-training/
Air Force SERE modernizes training - https://www.aetc.af.mil/News/Article/2169509/air-force-sere-modernizes-training/
12th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron keeps Texans flying - https://www.aetc.af.mil/News/Article/2176282/12th-aircraft-maintenance-squadron-keeps-texans-flying/
Loadmaster duo keeps the family flying tradition - https://www.dvidshub.net/news/369183/loadmaster-duo-keeps-family-flying-traditionMilitary recruiting goes virtual in an innovative new campaign - https://www.dvidshub.net/news/369185/military-recruiting-goes-virtual-innovative-new-campaign
Air Force Totals of COVID-19 Positive Cases as of 9 p.m., May 4, 2020.
| CASES | HOSPITALIZED | RECOVERED | DEATHS | |
| Military | 391 (+3) | 8 | 150 (+5) | 0 |
| Civilian | 205 (+4) | 10 (-1) | 76 (+3) | 0 |
| Dependents | 236 (+2) | 7 | 80 | 0 |
| Contractors | 82 (+1) | 5 (-1) | 21 | 1 |
| Total | 914 | 30 | 327 | 1 |
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