Air Force update for COVID-19

By Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs / Published May 20, 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 20, 2020
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein and Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Kaleth O. Wright visited Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, May 14. The senior leaders saw how Minot AFB has remained mission-ready and resilient throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

To respond to the growing demand for COVID-19-related supplies, the Air Force is piloting an initiative called the Rapid Agile Manufacturing Platform to leverage the full capacity of the U.S. manufacturing base. This initiative, which kicked off on April 10 as part of the Department of the Air Force Acquisition COVID-19 Task Force, is designed as a framework to keep the Air Force supply system independent of the civilian medical supply market.

Airmen and Soldiers with the Nebraska National Guard mobile testing teams are supporting COVID-19 testing locations under the Test Nebraska initiative, which is aimed at significantly expanding testing capacity in the state over the next several weeks. Test Nebraska is a three-part program, implemented through a public/private partnership designed to help state officials understand the health of Nebraskans, expand testing capacity, and inform those who are affected.

The 78th Medical Group Clinical Laboratory at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, activated their in-house COVID-19 molecular testing capabilities May 7, becoming the first Air Force Sustainment Center clinic to offer in-house COVID-19 testing. The decision to test a patient is made by their Primary Care Manager based on symptoms, potential for community transmission and risk of exposure among other factors.

The Civil Air Patrol was established in 1941 and has evolved into a premier public service organization that continues to support emergency missions throughout the country when needed. As a total force partner and auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, the CAP found a way to assist with Michigan's response to COVID-19 while preserving its 79-year legacy of service and maintaining its commitment to nearly 1,500 communities nationwide.

319th Medical Group Airman collects sample from a visitor during coronavirus testing on Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota, May 19. Those who were tested were then also directed to self-quarantine until results return.

See photos of this effort here: https://www.dvidshub.net/image/6215261/covid-19-testing-grand-forks-afb

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.

The 344th TRS participates in resiliency chat with CMSAF Wright - https://www.aetc.af.mil/News/Article/2191802/344th-trs-participates-in-resiliency-chat-with-cmsaf-wright/

COMACC joins AFTAC Airmen in online training session - https://www.acc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2192609/comacc-joins-aftac-airmen-in-online-training-session/

PSAB continues to provide dynamic mission capability - https://www.acc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2189870/psab-continues-to-provide-dynamic-mission-capability/

In Your Boots: 22nd Expeditionary Weather Squadron - https://www.dvidshub.net/image/6216046/your-boots-22nd-ewxs

RED HORSE: heavy construction, self-sufficient, rapidly deployable force - https://www.acc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2191138/red-horse-heavy-construction-self-sufficient-rapidly-deployable-force/

DLIELC hosts firs female Lebanese air traffic controller - https://www.aetc.af.mil/News/Article/2192563/dlielc-hosts-first-female-lebanese-air-traffic-controller/

U.S. Air Force, Chilean Air Force continue the mission despite COVID-19 - https://www.dvidshub.net/image/6215165/us-air-force-chilean-air-force-continue-mission-despite-covid-19

AFLCMC maintenance team airlifts to repair Holloman AFB F-16s during COVID-19 pandemic - https://www.aetc.af.mil/News/Article/2191878/aflcmc-maintenance-team-airlifts-to-repair-holloman-f-16s-during-covid-19-pande/

Combat Ready Airman program meets uniform and equipment needs for Airmen - https://www.afmc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2192584/combat-ready-airman-program-meets-uniform-and-equipment-needs-for-airmen/

Oregon Airmen leverage technology to complete training and mission during pandemic - https://www.dvidshub.net/news/370350/oregon-airmen-leverage-technology-complete-training-and-mission-during-pandemic

911th Airlift Wing conducts first C-17 Globemaster III home station check since conversion - https://www.pittsburgh.afrc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2185838/911th-aw-conducts-first-home-station-check-on-pittsburgh-soil/

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

	CASES	HOSPITALIZED	RECOVERED	DEATHS
Military*	450 (-3)	6	230 (+4)	0
Civilian	206 (+1)	6	115 (+3)	0
Dependents*	252 (-25)	5	119 (+2)	0
Contractors*	96 (-2)	5 (+1)	38 (+1)	1
Total	1,004	22	502	1

*Corrects previous reports.

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Air Force update for COVID-19