Air Force update for COVID-19
By Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs / Published May 14, 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 14, 2020
In response to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, an 86th Airlift Wing C-130J Super Hercules out of Ramstein Air Base, Germany, assisted the Italian government in transporting medical and other relief supplies between supply hubs in Milan and Rome, Italy, May 13.
Read more about this effort here: https://www.ramstein.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2186436/usafes-c-130j-support-to-italy/
Air National Guardsmen from the 149th Fighter Wing assist the San Antonio Food Bank in sorting, packing and distribution during the COVID-19 pandemic.
See photos of their efforts here: https://www.dvidshub.net/image/6208968/air-national-guardsmen-assigned-149th-fighter-wing-assist-local-food-banks
Members of the Michigan Air and Army National Guard are sweeping across Michigan's Upper Peninsula assisting long-term care and correctional facilities in testing employees and prisoners. The joint Guard members, known as Task Force Tiger, have been working in conjunction with the governor's office to complete the COVID-19 testing requirements that have been established for high-risk facilities.
Read more about their efforts here: https://www.dvidshub.net/news/369914/michigan-national-guard-assists-long-term-care-facilities-dept-corrections-covid-19-testing
Living in poverty in rural China where there was little opportunity, Col.(select) Hui Li's parents knew they needed to do something different to ensure Li and her siblings would have a better life and education. Having no idea what they were about to get into, her parents took a leap of faith, packed up and immigrated to the United States. Li, who is the 88th Medical Group's Chief of Aerospace Medicine and the 88th Air Base Wing Public Health Emergency Officer has become the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency incident commander.
Read more about her efforts here: https://www.afmc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2186086/from-immigrant-to-pandemic-fighter/
Some career choices are a calling rather than simply an occupation. Capt. Tra-Vorus Weaver followed his calling to the ministry and became a chaplain with the 104th Fighter Wing in 2018. He was recently activated by the unit to minister at the Holyoke Soldiers' Home as part of the COVID-19 response mission there.
Read about his efforts here: https://www.dvidshub.net/news/369868/104th-fighter-wing-chaplain-ministers-troops-veterans-and-staff
For one retired Grissom AFB Airman, leaving the military doesn't mean sitting on the sidelines during a crisis. Juanita Withrow, Grissom Drug Demand Reduction Program manager, has produced almost 900 face masks while working from home, all of which have been donated to Grissom AFB Airmen and the local community.
Read more about her effort here: https://www.grissom.afrc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2185590/retired-airman-keeps-team-grissom-supplied-with-masks/
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:
514th Air Mobility Wing shows support for healthcare and frontline workers with flyover in western New Jersey.
Photos: https://www.dvidshub.net/image/6208777/freedom-wing-aerial-refuel-mission-americastrong
California Guard jets fly over state capitol, honoring first responders
The 121st Air Refueling Wing and 180th Fighter Wing Salute Ohio
Photos: https://www.dvidshub.net/image/6208457/121st-air-refueling-wing-and-180th-fighter-wing-salute-ohio
The 148th Fighter Wing conducts flyovers
Photos: https://www.dvidshub.net/image/6208334/148
th-fighter-wing-conducts-flyovers
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.
Satellite hacking challenge shifts to fully virtual event - https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2185826/satellite-hacking-challenge-shifts-to-fully-virtual-event/
JBLE physician awarded Federal Health Care Executive Award for Excellence - https://www.acc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2186700/jble-physician-awarded-federal-health-care-executive-award-for-excellence/
After a year of successes, Air Force continues to advance S&T strategy - https://www.afmc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2186772/after-a-year-of-successes-air-force-continues-to-advance-st-strategy/
Making history, reserve pilot flies the U-2 for the first time - https://www.acc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2186755/making-history-reserve-pilot-flies-the-u-2-for-the-first-time/
Multi-domain warfare officers, delivering critical capabilities - https://www.acc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2186729/multi-domain-warfare-officers-delivering-critical-capabilities/
SUPT classes 20-14, 20-15 set to graduate - https://www.aetc.af.mil/News/Article/2185840/supt-classes-20-14-20-15-set-to-graduate/
WSSS "kicks it" with social distancing - https://www.kirtland.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2185557/wsss-kicks-it-with-social-distancing/
Mental Health Awareness Month: Resiliency, wellness - https://www.acc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2186680/mental-health-awareness-month-resiliency-wellness/
A new normal - https://www.aetc.af.mil/News/Article/2186052/a-new-normal/
Honoring fallen Defenders: 100th SFS Memorial Ruck March - https://www.usafe.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2186434/honoring-fallen-defenders-100th-sfs-memorial-ruck-march/
Housing office provides safe, clean homes for families, ensures mission readiness - https://www.pacaf.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2185757/housing-office-provides-safe-clean-homes-for-families-ensures-mission-readiness/
COVID-19 risk demonstrates importance of keeping healthy - https://www.afmc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2185496/covid-19-risk-demonstrates-importance-of-keeping-healthy/
Air Force Totals of COVID-19 Positive Cases as of 9 p.m., May 13, 2020.
| CASES | HOSPITALIZED | RECOVERED | DEATHS | |
| Military | 431 (-2) | 9 | 215 | 0 |
| Civilian* | 203 (+1) | 8 (-1) | 107 (-2) | 0 |
| Dependents | 269 (+2) | 7 | 108 (-1) | 0 |
| Contractors | 94 (+4) | 5 | 35 (+1) | 1 |
| Total | 997 | 29 | 465 | 1 |
* Corrects previous reports.
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