Air Force update for COVID-19

By Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs / Published May 11, 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 11,2020
The U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, will honor frontline COVID-19 responders and essential workers with formation flights over San Antonio and Austin May 13.

Read the announcement here: https://www.aetc.af.mil/News/Article/2182767/usaf-thunderbirds-to-salute-texas-covid-19-responders-may-13/

The 96th Medical Group obtained the ability to test for COVID-19 at their laboratory at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida in early April. The lab's technicians received and brought the novel coronavirus test kits 'on-line' April 10 to begin (in-house) testing for area DOD beneficiaries. With this capability, Eglin's lab technicians cut the two-day processing time in half.

Travis Air Force Base is now one of three staging areas for the U.S. Air Force's specialized aeromedical evacuation missions relating to the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic. Air Mobility Command, headquartered at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, selected Travis AFB, Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, and Ramstein Air Base, Germany, as staging grounds for its AE missions involving Transportation Isolation System use.

COVID-19 has promoted most of the planet to change the way things are done, but for Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, technical training for Airmen arriving from basic military training doesn't stop. With that being said, certain protective and precautionary measures have been put in place for the arrival of new Airmen as well as students from sister services, and the departure of those who have completed their training here. Instead of being transported in from Lackland AFB, Texas to Sheppard AFB, Airmen are now being flown in to avoid contamination on the journey.

An emergency by nature is unpredictable but, for the 509th Bomb Wing Emergency Management team, preparing for the unknown is their specialty. The nine-person team is accountable for every emergency response plan on the entire installation. Most notably, the Medical Disease Containment Plan with the onset of the COVID-19 virus.

Airmen and Soldiers help prepare meals at Veterans Haven North. Operated by the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, it is a transitional housing facility for homeless veterans that provides its residents long-term rehabilitation services and employment training.

A team of 35 Iowa Air National Guard members from the 185th Air Refueling Wing helped set up a COVID-19 test site in Sioux City, Iowa this week, assisting local and state agencies with logistics and traffic control at the drive through test site.

Indiana National Guard Soldiers and Airmen provided necessary medical support to the Indiana Department of Correction facilities across the state in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The medical professionals augmented the governor's effort to reduce the impact of COVID-19 in correctional facilities during this public health crisis.

Soldiers and Airmen with the Delaware National Guard are fighting the spread of coronavirus this month, joining hundreds of front-line workers at community-based testing sites throughout Sussex County, the state's southernmost region, and a recently declared hot spot for COVID-19. The community-based testing locations, utilizing both rapid blood tests and nasal swabs, have been geared towards essential employees, at-risk populations, and those with symptoms associated with the deadly respiratory virus.

Nurses working alongside Airmen with the 125th Air Expeditionary Squadron begin antibody testing at the Orange County Convention Center Community Based Testing Site on May 9, 2020. The nurses are collecting blood samples to test for antibodies against COVID-19 as the National Guard provides logistical and traffic control support for the Florida Department of Health.

See photos of this efforts here: https://www.dvidshub.net/image/6203806/first-day-antibody-testing-orange-county-convention-center-community-based-testing-site

While most people get to go home after a long, grueling day at work, Kevin Kulow an emergency room physician at Gulf Coast Regional Medical Center and Air Force Reservist, walks straight to his camper, a short distance from the emergency room where he has faced a wide range of unexpected illnesses and possibly COVID-19 patients.

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:

Columbus AFB salutes local frontline heroes with flyovers

Story: https://www.aetc.af.mil/News/Article/2182639/columbus-afb-salutes-local-frontline-heroes-with-flyovers/

The 175th Wing, Maryland Air National Guard conducted community flyovers to honor frontline COVID-19 responders and essential workers across the state.

The 913 Airlift Group at Little Rock AFB, Arkansas participated in an Air Force Salute flyover saluting healthcare worker across the state.

Photos: https://www.dvidshub.net/search?q=LRAFB+America+Strong+flyover&view=grid

Story: https://www.913ag.afrc.af.mil/News/Article/2173167/reserve-group-flyover-honors-arkansas-healthcare-workers/

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.

A passion for helping and leading: Nurse leads Air Force Medical Service - https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2182737/a-passion-for-helping-and-leading-nurse-leads-air-force-medical-service/

USSTRATCOM Conducts Long-Range Strategic Bomber Mission - https://www.usafe.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2182539/usstratcom-conducts-long-range-strategic-bomber-mission/

We Have the Watch! America's AOC monitors the skies over the continental U.S. - https://www.acc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2182602/we-have-the-watch-americas-aoc-monitors-the-skies-over-the-continental-us/

Managing COVID-19: Ogden ALC's 309th Commodities Maintenance Group continues to thrive - https://www.afmc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2182733/managing-covid-19-ogden-alcs-309th-commodities-maintenance-group-continues-to-t/

50th OSS conducts space operator training amid COVID-19 pandemic - https://www.dvidshub.net/image/6204131/50th-oss-conducts-space-operator-training-amid-covid-19-pandemic

312th TRS continues training DoD firefighters - https://www.aetc.af.mil/News/Article/2182655/312th-trs-continues-training-dod-firefighters/

334th TRS partners with USM, strive to update curriculum - https://www.aetc.af.mil/News/Article/2181489/334th-trs-partners-with-usm-strive-to-update-curriculum/

High School Seniors honored during parade, ceremony - https://www.malmstrom.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2182203/high-school-seniors-honored-during-parade-ceremony/

Rucking for heroes - https://www.warren.af.mil/News/Article/2181697/rucking-for-heroes/

Resiliency training offered virtually for AMC spouses - https://www.amc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2181266/resiliency-training-offered-virtually-for-amc-spouses/

445th reserve maintainers keep C-17 mission going during COVID-19- https://www.445aw.afrc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2182592/445th-maintainers-keep-mission-going-during-covid-19/

Hurricane season is less than a month away, starting June 1. Are you ready? - https://www.403wg.afrc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2180550/are-you-ready-for-hurricane-season/

Air Force Totals of COVID-19 Positive Cases as of 9 p.m., May 10, 2020.

	CASES	HOSPITALIZED	RECOVERED	DEATHS
Military	417 (+8)	8	193 (+12)	0
Civilian*	207 (+1)	9	100 (+9)	0
Dependents	256 (+11)	6	98 (+8	0
Contractors	83 (-1)	5	28	1
Total	943	28	390	1

*These numbers include all of the cases that were reported since our last update on May 8th.

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Air Force update for COVID-19