Fort Drum Uses Wartime Expertise in Fight Against COVID-19

May 26, 2020 | BY Warren Wright

Soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division's 10th Sustainment Brigade are using their wartime skills and equipment to support health care professionals at Fort Drum, New York, in the fight against COVID-19.

The brigade's 543rd Composite Supply Company, 548th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, have constructed a field shower and laundry facilities outside the Bowe Troop Medical Clinic, which is serving as Fort Drum Medical Activity's COVID-19 treatment facility.

Before leaving work for the day, health care providers use the shower facilities and leave their day's laundry before heading home.

"They are providing reassurance for us that when we finish up a day of seeing highly contagious patients, we can go out and not take it home to our families," Army Capt. Isaac Mills, the officer in charge of the COVID-19 treatment facility, said. "This is not only reassurance for us, but more so allowing our families to let us back into the house. My wife was very happy about the fact I was able to come home effectively safe."

Set up just outside the Bowe clinic, the soldiers constructed a tent with 12 shower stalls, and are using a laundry advanced system, or LADS, trailer that contains two large washer and dryer drums. The LADS can clean and sanitize sizable amounts of clothes with water hot enough to kill bacteria and other microorganisms.

Before showering, providers from Bowe secure their used laundry in special netted bags, which are then collected at the end of the day. Soldiers then wash and fold the clothes, ensuring they're ready for the Bowe team the next day.

"I'm glad to have the opportunity to help prevent the spread of COVID-19," Army Pfc. Trevarious Mathis, a shower and laundry specialist with the 543rd Composite Supply Company, said. "We try to help as much as we can by supporting [the Bowe clinic] through this hardship we face as a country."

Before and during the use of the showers, the soldiers continually monitor and maintain the specialized field pumping and water regulation equipment to ensure the Bowe staff has steady access to hot running water.

"We really appreciate their support," Mills added. "They were immediately willing to help. There was no question. When we needed them, they showed up, and we've been happy to have them here."

The shower and laundry facilities will remain at the Bowe clinic for the foreseeable future to support the MEDDAC providers' continued care for COVID-19 patients.

(Warren Wright is assigned to Fort Drum.)