Maintenance Squadron Maintains Ops With Minimal Manning

July 20, 2020 | BY Air Force Airman 1st Class Jayden Ford

When the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the nation, the 19th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, was already operating at reduced manning levels, with almost a quarter of the unit deployed. Social distancing and mitigation efforts to preserve the health of the remaining force cut that number in half.

Tasked with maintaining and servicing one of the largest C-130J fleets in the world, the squadron established a plan to safeguard airmen while simultaneously completing critical training and maintaining normal operations with heavily reduced manning.

“After airmen from our unit joined the 61st Airlift Squadron on a recent deployment, we were left with little over half of our team,” said Air Force Tech. Sgt. Sam Bishop, 19th AMXS flightline expediter. “The airmen who stayed at home station were then split again due to COVID-19. Some are helping out by flying and performing scheduled maintenance while other groups are training.”

Devised by all levels of leadership within the squadron, the plan actively sought input and feedback from frontline airmen to ensure the new schedule ran smoothly and effectively.

“The plan put into place for our operations during COVID-19 was a collective collaboration between our leadership, senior [noncommissioned officers] and the lead technicians,” Bishop said. “Our leadership charged the lead technicians to figure out whether or not we can support this plan and gave ideas on the best way to move forward.”

Even amid a global pandemic, junior airmen still needed essential on-the-job training to better accomplish their assigned tasks in a safe and effective manner.

''One of our challenges was training our new airmen while maintaining operations with the manning we had,'' Bishop said. ''We have a lot of new personnel who are not yet qualified to work independently. The few people we do have, who are qualified, are having to train the airmen to get them up to par to help support the mission.''

Air Force Master Sgt. Michael Pearson, a production superintendent with the 19th AMXS, acknowledged that leadership within the squadron understood right away the importance of caring for their airmen more than ever due to possible isolation people may feel from COVID-related restrictions.

''It took some adapting at all levels,'' he said. ''We've been doing our best to try to accommodate and help everyone through the changes. That way we know their mind is in the game, and we are completing the mission safely.''

''General Giulio Douhet once famously stated, 'Flexibility is the key to air power,''' said Air Force Lt. Col. Donald Hudson, 19th AMXS commander. ''That's just what aircraft maintainers do, and that's when they're at their very best. They make it happen; and they absolutely make you proud when they not only figure out how to get past that challenge, but also improve upon how we actually execute that mission when faced with a challenge.''

(Air Force Airman 1st Class Jayden Ford is assigned to the 19th Airlift Wing.)

Combat Aviation Brigade Prepares to Deploy During COVID-19 Pandemic

July 20, 2020 | BY Army Capt. Travis Mueller

Despite challenges presented by COVID-19, soldiers with the Pennsylvania Army National Guard's 28th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade mobilized from their home stations to Fort Hood, Texas, to prepare for their deployment to the Middle East.

The 28th ECAB is preparing for deployment and is taking precautions to ensure soldiers receive the training, experience and confidence to accomplish their missions and stay safe. They will soon deploy to the Middle East, where they will assist U.S. Central Command with increasing regional security and stability in support of U.S. interests.

Our soldiers have been counseled frequently about the precautions for COVID-19 and the importance of wearing masks, and we keep up on each other and keep an eye out for each other."

Army Maj. Todd Lupold, Surgeon, 28th ECAB

Though he acknowledged that there were some delays due to weather and lost baggage, Army Col. Howard Lloyd, commander of the 28th ECAB, described the movement of the brigade to Fort Hood as "spot on."

"Almost 1,400 soldiers embarked for this place without any hiccups," Lloyd said. "They are here, all safe. They are all bedded down. Our unit movement officers and logisticians did a great job to support the force."

The command team understands the concerns about COVID-19 and its potential to spread within the formation. It is very important that soldiers remain healthy, and the brigade has taken numerous steps to ensure the virus doesn’t spread.

"Some of the precautions we are taking to prevent transmission of COVID-19 are wearing masks whenever we are within 6 feet of each other," said Army Maj. Todd Lupold, surgeon with the 28th ECAB. "We are socially distancing as much as possible. We are also keeping up with frequent hand washing and sanitization of our areas. Our soldiers have been counseled frequently about the precautions for COVID-19 and the importance of wearing masks, and we keep up on each other and keep an eye out for each other."

The soldiers also underwent COVID-19 testing in the first couple days after arriving at Fort Hood. A small number of positive cases were discovered, but although the soldiers were asymptomatic, they were taken into isolation to receive the best care and stop any potential spread of the virus.

Soldiers are engaged in a mandatory 4-day quarantine. They are unable to shop at the post exchange, go to the normal dining facilities or use the post gym.

Two to three barracks are grouped into cohorts. Each cohort is assigned a dining tent, a morale tent and an exercise tent with select gym equipment. Separating cohorts this way limits the spread of any viruses in common areas, officials explained.

At the end of the mandatory 14-day period, assuming there are no outbreaks of the virus, things will open up for the 28th ECAB soldiers However, they will still be advised to take personal measures to prevent the spread of illness and stay healthy.

Following these precautions will keep the threat of COVID-19 in the formation low, and will allow the 28th ECAB to aggressively train without fear of spreading the virus deploying personnel training for the deployment. Meanwhile, they're doing what they need to do to be ready for their deployment.

"The soldiers are owning it," Lloyd said. "They are doing a fantastic job to get the job done. We're already out there at the airfield doing maintenance on aircraft. We're doing maintenance on vehicles. We're setting up our mission command right now. Everything is on-track, even with the restrictions."

(Army Capt. Travis Mueller is assigned to the 28th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade.)

DOD Awards $3.5 Million Contract to Crosstex International, Inc. to Increase Domestic Production of Surgical Masks

July 19, 2020

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On July 17, the Department of Defense, in coordination with the Department of Health and Human Services, signed a $3.5 million contract award with Crosstex International, Inc. to increase domestic production of surgical masks.

Surgical masks are critical pieces of personal protective equipment for our nation’s medical community on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic response.

Crosstex currently operates mask production lines at full capacity in its upstate New York facilities. The $3.5M investment would support capital investments to procure additional machine lines through its longstanding partnership with its current domestic machine fabricator. The additional lines would increase Crosstex’s production by an additional 100 million surgical masks a year.  The increases to production will begin in May 2021, when Crosstex anticipates delivery of their first new machine line. The remaining three lines will be delivered and fully operational no later than November 2021.

This contract award is part of the ongoing collaboration between DOD and HHS, led by the Department’s Joint Acquisition Task Force (JATF) and funded through the CARES Act, to enable and support domestic industrial base expansion for critical medical resources.

Soldiers Describe Initial COVID-19 Fight

July 17, 2020 , Army News Service

It's an invisible enemy. At least that's how soldiers felt about COVID-19 after their six-week stint at the overburdened University Hospital in Newark, New Jersey, where they said it was more like a war zone.

They worked countless hours to assist beleaguered civilian doctors and nurses — from the frantic hallways in overcrowded hospitals to quiet moments at a patient's bedside, holding their hand as they passed away alone, they said.

While there were no bombs or gunfire, the infectious disease still mounted attacks as exhausted health care workers hurried to save lives.

Starting in March, the Army deployed thousands of soldiers to help health care providers nationwide.

"Our integration was seamless," Army Maj. Erin Velazquez said after her unit's warm reception by the hospital staff. "We were greeted with open arms, and we made sure to have the greatest impact possible in all areas [of the hospital]."

Velazquez commanded Urban Augmentation Medical Task Force 332-1, one of the Army Reserve's 15 task forces that were initially sent to Newark and elsewhere to battle the disease. And now, as cases in the first locations subside, new hotspots have surfaced in southern and western states, with soldiers preparing to assist again.

I knew at that moment we had to use our skill set and training to make a positive, impactful contribution."

Staff Sgt. Mauricio L. Pena

The 85-member task forces have critical care personnel who have rapidly deployed across the country, in what has become the largest domestic mobilization in Army Reserve history, they said. Each team is made up of various medical specialties from doctors and nurses to supply and administrative support. At the height of its overall response in April, U.S. Northern Command had more than 9,000 military medical personnel, including those teams, in the fight.

Early in the pandemic, New Jersey became one of the country's worst-hit states by the virus and is also where Urban Augmentation Medical Task Force 332-1, an arm of the 332nd Medical Brigade out of Nashville, Tennessee, called home for nearly six weeks.

Other units were sent to similar critical areas, including New York City; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and Seattle.

By the time the task force arrived on April 14, the Garden State had roughly 70,000 confirmed cases and more than 2,800 deaths. As with other COVID-19 breeding grounds, the exact tally was hard to count and growing by the hour. It was spring, and the University Hospital in Newark "was at its breaking point," said Staff Sgt. Mauricio L. Pena, UAMTF 332-1's top enlisted Soldier and a respiratory therapist. As cases surged, many hospitals had run out of beds to care for the sick.

In those days, the academic hospital was stretched beyond its limits. "I was taken aback and saddened by the conditions in New Jersey," Pena recalled. "The emergency department was overwhelmed, even though the hospital [staff] was moving as fast as they could."

The virus had outpaced their best efforts. The hospital's emergency room was jam-packed with sick people, many with coronavirus-like symptoms. The need for care didn't slow down even when the hospital reached its capacity, so many patients were forced into the hallways ofthe emergency room. "I knew at that moment we had to use our skill set and training to make a positive, impactful contribution," Pena said, regarding the Reserve troops' unique ability to combine military training with their civilian medical experience.

They should all be extremely proud of what they accomplished during this historic mission."

Army Col. Kimberlee Aiello

Upon arrival, the soldiers in Newark also noticed that many members of the undermanned staff were visibly burned out as the countless long days at the hospital had worn them down. "They were on the verge of collapsing," Pena said.

Before the task force arrived, doctors and nurses had already worked for weeks at a time — even after many of their colleagues tested positive for the virus, which reduced the number of available health care workers. But with each passing day, things inched from chaotic back to stable. On May 20, the unit's last day at University Hospital, the facility was running smoothly again, Velazquez said. The cohesion between the soldiers and hospital staff was immediate, she added. Once integrated, they worked side by side to provide support to more than 100 COVID-19 positive patients daily.

Along the way, the task force went on to assist all around the hospital, not only providing care to COVID-19 patients, but also helping to give mental health support to the hospital staff, patients and other soldiers, Velazquez said. They also volunteered with other daily tasks, such as N95 mask-fitting and sterilization.

"This was an exceptional mission that provided our soldiers with the opportunity to support our most burdened communities in a time of great need," Velazquez said. "Many lives were not only saved but forever touched by the collaborative impact between the Department of Defense and state health care professionals."

Ten miles from University Hospital across the Hudson River was the nation's epicenter of the virus: New York City. That's where the 44th Medical Brigade assumed the role of Task Force Silver Dragon, which oversaw more than 3,000 troops in medical units across six states as part of Federal Emergency Management Agency operations.

The task force's headquarters was in a converted convention center in Manhattan, dubbed the Javits-New York Medical Station, where more than 500 service members treated nearly 1,100 patients, said Army Col. Kimberlee Aiello, the brigade commander.

Despite daily interactions with COVID-19 patients, service members only had a 0.05% infection rate, Aiello said, adding not everyone was tested due to limited supplies. "When we looked across the United States, [we] saw there were limited testing capabilities," she said. "Therefore, we wanted to be good stewards of our nation's resources, [so] we only [tested] those who were symptomatic for COVID-19."

While normalcy returns to parts of the country, the battle against COVID-19 persists elsewhere. About 740 military medical and support personnel have been assigned this week to go to Texas and California in support of FEMA missions, U.S. Army North officials. More troops are on prepare-to-deploy orders, according to Army officials, in case the demand for additional forces are needed in other hotbeds. And if called on again, the Reserve Soldiers will be able to tap into their real-world experience.

"COVID has not stopped. This is ongoing," Aiello said. "We did a great job with what we knew at the time, and we learned from our partners on how to care for patients. They should all be extremely proud of what they accomplished during this historic mission."

Department of Defense Announces New Director for Defense Commissary Agency

July 17, 2020

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The Department of Defense announced today that William Moore has been selected to be the new director and chief executive officer of the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA). 

The DeCA director position has been vacant since June 2017. In November 2017, DOD leadership asked retired Navy Rear Adm. Robert J. Bianchi, CEO of Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM), to step into the DeCA leadership position as interim director and later special assistant for commissary operations to the assistant secretary of defense for manpower and reserve affairs. He has been overseeing both organizations simultaneously for the past 33 months. 

Under Bianchi’s leadership, DeCA reversed a six-year trend of slumping commissary sales and exceeded the congressionally mandated market basket savings rate of 23.7% for commissary patrons each year. DeCA also introduced over 900 store brands to provide popular items to shoppers at lower price points and began modernizing the commissary shopping experience with the implementation of the Click2Go online shopping program. 

Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Manpower and Reserve Affairs Virginia Penrod recently praised Adm. Bianchi’s performance saying, “Rob was the right leader at the right time for DeCA. His ability to anticipate requirements and build coalitions of diverse stakeholders has been key to keeping the commissary store shelves stocked and all of our stores open during the COVID-19 pandemic.” 

Moore currently serves as the principal deputy to the Army’s deputy chief of staff for logistics, where he is responsible for programming, budgeting and execution of Army logistics. He has also worked in executive leadership positions with the Army’s Training and Doctrine Command and Combined Arms Support Command. 

The DeCA director oversees the management, acquisition, operation, and sustainment of 236 commissaries, as well as distribution centers, a meat-packing plant in Europe, and other facilities, located in 45 states, 13 countries and 2 territories. DeCA also employs more than 13,000 people, and its operations generate almost $5 billion in annual sales. 

Moore’s tenure is expected to begin in August 2020.

Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper Guidance on Public Display or Depiction of Flags in the Department of Defense

July 17, 2020

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Today Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper provided guidance to Defense senior leaders and commanders on the public display or depiction of flags in the Department of Defense. The Secretary noted that flags are powerful symbols, particularly in the military community for whom flags embody common mission, common histories, and the special, timeless bonds of warriors. The Secretary also noted that the flags we fly must accord with the military imperatives of good order and discipline, treating all our people with dignity and respect, and rejecting divisive symbols.

In addition to honoring the American flag, which is the principal flag that DoD is authorized and encouraged to display, the Secretary provided a list of other flags, or representational depictions, that service members and civilian employees are authorized to display that promote unity and esprit de corps.

Secretary Esper remains committed to fielding the most powerful military force the world has known by strengthening the bonds of our most valuable resource – our people.

Norfolk Naval Shipyard Takes on Innovative Solutions During COVID-19 Pandemic

July 16, 2020 | BY KRISTI R. BRITT

Innovative employees at Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Virginia came together to face the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic head-on by using additive manufacturing to produce face shields.

In Mid-March, Naval Sea Systems Command reached out to innovation programs at its shipyards and other departments acto assess additive manufacturing capability to produce personal protective equipment so workers could safely maneuver through the current environment.

Simultaneously, requests began pouring in from individuals across the shipyard with a strong desire to assist in the development and production efforts.

''It was a developing situation with COVID-19, and the growing concern for the need of PPE to continue daily service,'' said Dale Berkley, the Norfolk Naval Shipyard's technology insertion manager. ''We saw the need and began gauging each of the shipyard's [additive manufacturing] labs to scope their availability, capacity and material inventory. It became a group effort to answer the call, and we began formalizing printing at the end of March.''

The face shields are composed of four parts: a headband to hold a clear plastic shield, an elastic strap and a reinforcement clip at the bottom to strengthen the plastic's curve. The technology and innovation lab joined with additive manufacturing labs across the shipyard — including the Nuclear Mechanical Group, Non-Nuclear Mechanical Group, Non-Nuclear Inspection Division , Carrier Programs, Radiological Engineering Division and Nuclear Special Emphasis Division —  to begin researching designs approved by the National Institutes of Health.

With alignment on a single approved design for the face shields, the labs hit the ground running, printing the headbands and reinforcement clips using desktop, industrial and resin 3D printers. The Nuclear Fluid Systems and Mechanical Engineering Division and the shipyard's technology and innovations lab handled printer material orders to ensure the teams had what they needed to get the job done as quickly as possible. Finally, once the clips and headbands were completed, they were turned over to the Production Resource Department, Facilities Department, Pipefitting Group and the SIOP Program Management Office for development of the plastic shields, finalizing assembly and distributing them across the shipyard, as well as to local partners.

''As a team, we were able to take these designs and iron out the printing and assembly process, testing and perfecting it, so that we were able to make these masks as quickly as possible,'' said Kyle Cooper, the coordinator of nuclear continuous training and development. ''It's been a learning experience for everyone. We were able to cut down the printing of headbands themselves down to 57 minutes, which initially was three and a half hours. It came down to trial and error, sharing our input and working towards making the best product possible.''

''This is a true testament to the teamwork here at NNSY, everyone coming together to provide their input and services with a common goal in mind,'' said Jessica Roberts, the NNSY Technology and Innovation Community of Practice lead and the Additive Manufacturing Subcommittee lead. ''It was a challenge we hadn't really faced before, to this degree, as this was the first time all the AM labs across the shipyard had come together for a single project. So many departments needed to be aligned and understand each other's abilities and what they would be bringing to the table. It was an evolving process and communication was key to ensure everything went as smoothly as possible.''

The Non-Nuclear Inspection Division's Adam and Joel Seamster used their large-capacity additive manufacturing lab, composed of more than 20 desktop printers, to mass-produce headbands and clips. They helped ensure the technical aspect of the job was handled, working with the various labs to optimize the selected design for quicker and more cost effective printing, as well as testing materials for the best quality.

James Keim, with the technology and innovation lab, noted that working together for a common goal to protect their fellow shipyarders was a great experience. 

''While the waterfront was working to adapt to the new constraints created by COVID-19, the Innovation Program wanted to find ways to alleviate that burden and prevent it from getting worse,” Keim said. “When it was evident that PPE was becoming scarce, it was clear that it was an immediate action we could take. We did not want to wait for the requests to come in because, by then, it would be too late. It made more sense to us to be ready with a stockpile for when the need hit.

“As for starting the process,'' he continued, ''we looked to what other groups had started. Since Virginia was not hit as hard, as fast as other states, we were able to make use of other's experience to make ours smoother. The National Institutes of Health had actually started a collection of PPE designs that they approved. We chose one as a starting point and adjusted our print parameters and materials until we came up with a print package that worked best for us.

It truly was a team effort,'' Keim said.

''There was a ton of eagerness across the board to get started and assist,'' he said. ''We have many in the AM community with varied experience. When we were optimizing our prints, we made sure any improvements we found went out to all the other labs so they could try them. As material shortages hit us, we got together to prioritize where our resources went to make sure we had the highest production possible.''

Carrier Programs had been pursuing efforts in AM for quite some time to quickly design and prototype tooling required to complete special emphasis work, said Daniel Miller, a nuclear engineer. ''When there was a call to action, we were there to assist,'' he added.

Carrier Programs worked closely with the Radiological Engineering and mechanical engineering Divisions. We were able to break down everyone's role and responsibility and learn from one-another, Miller said.

''This was a partnership that provided a resource stream of this vital equipment for our community,'' said Jason Markle the Program Management Office integrator. ''We were able to maintain a flow of fabrication materials, inventory levels, while coordinating storage, distribution and supply lines. Each code and each team member had a part to play to ensure the success of the mission.''

Markle said that in addition to providing PPE to the shipyard at large, the team was able to deliver two batches of face shields to the Portsmouth Naval Hospital for testing and use. ''This effort readied NNSY to be called upon to lend our aid for equipment supply to those who need it in the community at large,'' he said.

(Kristi R. Britt is assigned to the Norfolk Naval Shipyard.)

Rappel Tower

A Marine rappels down a tower as a part of training at Robertson Barracks, Australia, July 13, 2020.

Secretary Esper Travels to Naval Air Station Oceana Dam Neck Annex

July 16, 2020

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Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper embarks today, July 16, to visit Naval Air Station Oceana Dam Neck Annex, Virginia.

While there, Secretary Esper will meet with leaders and Sailors to assess the effects of COVID-19 on training and operations.

U.S. Navy Amphibious Assault Ship USS Tripoli Joins the Fleet

July 15, 2020

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The U.S. Navy commissioned USS Tripoli (LHA 7), today, July 15, 2020.

Although the Navy canceled the traditional public commissioning ceremony due to public health and safety restrictions on large public gatherings, the Navy commissioned the USS Tripoli administratively and the ship transitioned to normal operations. Meanwhile, the Navy is looking at a future opportunity to commemorate the special event with the USS Tripoli’s sponsor, crew and commissioning committee.

“USS Tripoli is proof of what the teamwork of all of our people – civilian, contractor and military – can accomplish together,” said Secretary of the Navy Kenneth J. Braithwaite. “This ship will extend the maneuverability and lethality of our fleet to confront the many challenges of a complex world, from maintaining the sea lanes to countering instability to maintaining our edge in this era of renewed great power competition.”

Rear Adm. Philip E. Sobeck, commander, Expeditionary Strike Group THREE, welcomes the Navy’s newest amphibious assault ship, and crew, to the amphibious force.

“Tripoli is an example of the continued investment in our Navy, to increase and maintain our edge on the battlefield,” said Sobeck. “Congratulations to Tripoli’s crew for all of your hard work, amidst these challenging times, to reach this milestone. We welcome you to the amphibious force, of combat ready ships and battle-minded crews to go to sea and support sustained combat operations.”

LHA 7 incorporates key components to provide the fleet with a more aviation-centric platform. Tripoli’s design features an enlarged hangar deck, realignment and expansion of the aviation maintenance facilities, a significant increase in available stowage for parts and support equipment, and increased aviation fuel capacity. The ship is the first LHA replacement ship to depart the shipyard ready to integrate the entire future air combat element of the Marine Corps, to include the Joint Strike Fighter.

Along with its pioneering aviation element, LHA 7 incorporates gas turbine propulsion plant, zonal electrical distribution, and fuel-efficient electric auxiliary propulsion systems first installed on USS Makin Island (LHD 8). LHA 7 is 844 feet in length, has a displacement of approximately 44,000 long tons, and will be capable of operating at speeds of over 20 knots.

Tripoli’s commanding officer, Capt. Kevin Myers, highlighted Tripoli's accomplishments over the past several months getting through initial sea trials. The hard work and dedication of the entire team during the past few years was evident in the successful execution of at-sea testing.

“Being the third ship to bear the Tripoli namesake is a profound honor and this crew stands ready to carry on the legacy of our longstanding Navy and Marine Corps amphibious community,” said Meyers. “These sailors and Marines will pave the way for those still to come. What’s remarkable is seeing the dedication, perseverance and resilience these new plank owners have shown since day one, and more recently, through uncertain times as the Navy and nation work through a pandemic. There is no doubt in my mind that this team is ready to answer the nation’s call at any time or place.”

LHA 7 is the third Navy ship to be named Tripoli. The name honors and commemorates the force of U.S. Marines and approximately 370 soldiers from 11 other nationalities who captured the city of Derna, Libya, during the 1805 Battle of Derna. The battle resulted in a subsequent peace treaty and the successful conclusion of the combined operations of the First Barbary War, and was later memorialized in the Marines' Hymn with the line, “to the shores of Tripoli.”

Media may direct queries to the Navy Office of Information at (703) 697-5342. For more information about the Amphibious Assault Ships class:  http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=4200&tid=400&ct=4.

Sea Squad

Two Navy MH-60S Seahawk helicopters conduct a vertical replenishment with the USS Nimitz in the Philippine Sea, July 13, 2020.

Craft Competition

Marines dash into the water carrying a combat rubber raiding craft during a squad competition in Okinawa, Japan, July 7, 2020. The competition tested the Marine’s ability to maneuver the craft and demonstrate safe capsize procedures.

Guardsmen Assist Ohio's COVID-19 Testing Effort

July 14, 2020 | BY AIR FORCE STAFF SGT. AMBER MULLEN

Airmen assigned to the Ohio Air National Guard's 178th Wing augmented the staff of Centerpoint Health at the Community Building Institute in Middletown, Ohio, to help with drive-thru coronavirus testing of the local community.

The airmen worked alongside Ohio Army National Guard medics from the 174th Air Defense Artillery Brigade and the 285th Medical Company. Teamed up in groups of two, they were in charge of verifying patient information, performing nasal swab COVID-19 testing and properly packaging and storing the testing specimens. The guardsmen partnered with Centerpoint Health personnel who were in charge of facilitating the drive-thru testing event and getting patients checked in.

Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Sarah Berzes-Vaughn, the superintendent of Dental Services in the 178th Medical Group, served as the squad team lead and helped facilitate the community testing while overseeing the guardsmen involved in the effort. Air Force Staff Sgt. Christina Pumphrey, a medical technician assigned to the 178th Medical Group, Air Force Staff Sgt. Luis Morales, a dental technician assigned to the 178th Medical Group, and Air Force Tech. Sgt. Diane Broadnax, a medical technician assigned to the 123rd Air Control Squadron, verified patient information and performed the COVID-19 nasal swab tests.

"The community members check in with Centerpoint Health, and they are given a bag and lab requisition form," Berzes-Vaughn said. "Once they get to the testing pod, they'll be swabbed in each nostril, and then the swab goes into the reagent. Then we'll make sure the patient identifiers are on the sample and properly stored until they are ready to be sent to the lab."

Coming out here and helping out lets them know that we are here to help our state and our country in times of need."

Air Force Staff Sgt. Luis Morales, a dental technician, 178th Medical Group

On June 11, Gov. Mike DeWine announced that anyone in Ohio could receive a coronavirus test, even if they were low-risk or not showing symptoms. Recent data showed an upward trend in cases in southwest Ohio, and this prompted the creation of pop up testing sites statewide. With the increased demand for individuals seeking a test, the Guard members were able to support to their fellow Ohioans.

"[The testing] is going to be able to save lives by being able to do contact tracing," Berzes-Vaughn said. "It's really important for us to be able to help out our community."

"It's been a great opportunity to be out in the community and talking to patients that come through the drive-thru for testing," Morales said. "I think it’s important for us to come out here and help out the community in a time of need."

It's important for the National Guard to be out in the community. "Coming out here and helping out lets them know that we are here to help our state and our country in times of need," she said. "Being able to give back is the reason why I joined the Guard. I am thankful for this opportunity to help out in any way that I can."

(Air Force Staff Sgt. Amber Mullen is assigned to the 178th Wing.)

Guardsmen Bring Food, Hope to Community During COVID-19

July 14, 2020 | BY Army Spc. Hannah Tarkelly

Soldiers from the North Carolina Army National Guard's 449th Theater Aviation Brigade worked alongside volunteers from Team Rubicon, a veteran disaster relief service organization, Action Pathways, a nonprofit organization; and the Second Harvest Food Bank Southeast to distribute food to about 250 families at the Midway Elementary School in Dunn, North Carolina.

Guardsmen assigned to the 2-130th Airfield Operations Battalion and the 1-130th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion worked together with local organizations to help feed citizens during COVID-19.

"It's a very humbling experience," Army Sgt. 1st Class Jason Norris, assigned to the 1-130th ARB, said. "You actually get to see, face to face, the families that you're helping."

The guardsmen helped distribute meals and fresh produce such as potatoes, apples, watermelons, oranges, lettuce and meat.

As food rations dwindle and unemployment rises, families have found themselves in difficult circumstances. Therefore, the Guard is working with state agencies and local food banks to help support COVID-19 relief efforts.

"It feels good," Army Spc. William Best, assigned to the 2-130th AOB, said. "You actually get to see that you're making a difference."

Team Rubicon worked alongside the guardsmen during the food distribution to help provide the community with nutritious meals and produce. Team Rubicon and the guardsmen communicated and worked in an organized fashion to distribute an accurate amount of food to each family in an efficient and timely manner.

"It's a wonderful working relationship," Norris said. "The camaraderie these groups have is absolutely astounding."

Team Rubicon's efforts have made a tremendous impact in helping with COVID-19 relief operations. Volunteers from across the state gathered to dedicate their time and help fellow Tar Heels in need.

"It's been a pretty amazing dynamic," Claudia Suarez, a volunteer for Team Rubicon, said. "As a volunteer I've worked with the National Guard in the Patriot Southeast exercise and now here at the food bank. We're two different organizations, but we have similar missions and similar goals as humans."

(Army Spc. Hannah Tarkelly is assigned to the 382nd Public Affairs Detachment.)

Sports Heroes Who Served: Once an Olympic Hopeful, Army Captain Finds Victory in Nursing

July 14, 2020 | BY David Vergun , DOD News

Almost every sporting event in the United States has been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To help fill the void, this series looks at sports heroes who also served in the military.

Kristi Koplin has an impressive athletic background in track and field. She currently holds Southern Utah University's school record in the hammer throw, discus and weight throw. She was an alternate in the 2014 Olympics and is a former member of the Army's World Class Athlete Program in the bobsled.

These days Koplin is experiencing victory as a captain in the Army Nursing Corps with the 328th Field Hospital at Fort Douglas, Utah; a nurse at Urgent Care in Heber City and Park City, Utah; and a graduate of U.S. Army Airborne School.  

In 2014, Koplin was selected as an alternate in the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. For the next three years she competed on the North American and World Cup circuits. In 2018 and 2019, she began training for the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, China. 

In early January 2020, Koplin crashed during her second-to-last run of the North American Cup Bobsled and Skeleton in Lake Placid, New York, suffering head and neck injuries.

"I was knocked unconscious and woke up with the bobsled smashing my head against the ice and crushing my neck," she said during a recent interview with DOD News. "The crash ended my season early and I left for home to recover. By some miracle, I was not seriously injured."

Koplin announced June 23 that she's retiring from the sport. 

"I still have concerns about my brain health. I have suffered a few concussions and I worry about the cumulative effect of these," she said. "I love bobsledding so much, the speed and racing, the opportunity to represent our nation as an athlete and the process of working towards a goal that I have been envisioning for a large part of my life. However, I also value my health and the decision has been something weighing on me since the accident."

"I am always looking forward to my next dream to chase. I am absolutely positive that everything works out exactly like it is supposed to," she added.

Bobsled can be a dangerous sport where speeds often exceed 75 mph. A number of athletes have been killed and most have experienced mild to severe injuries in crashes.

These days Koplin is very busy nursing and dealing with COVID-19 patients.

"I remember the day when they announced that two of the Utah Jazz [basketball] players had tested positive and the entire NBA season would be postponed," she said, referring to the National Basketball Association. "The news itself shocked me. The virus felt like it had hit home. From that point forward, everything changed."

The Urgent Care in Park City became one of the nation's first testing sites for COVID-19, she said. A lot of people tested positive in the area because it's a tourist destination for international travelers, particularly during the Sundance Film Festival, which took place in January and February, as the coronavirus was beginning to rapidly spread.

About that time, she said "We started testing people and educating the community about how to stay safe. With all the unknowns and uncertainty, I could feel the panic emoting from most of the patients I saw." 

"My focus shifted," she continued. "I was no longer worried about my recovery from the bobsled injury but how to react to this unknown virus invading our lives."

Koplin said some of her most rewarding experiences were caring for wounded and injured soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany.

Being a nurse has been a good fit for her Olympic ambitions too, she said. Her training gives her an appreciation and understanding of how the body works and the important roles played by exercise and nutrition.

Also, her expertise was occasionally needed during training, such as when a bobsled crashes and once when an athlete from another sport was injured by a javelin.

As a former member of the World Class Athletic Program, Koplin urges others to use that organization as a means for achieving their dreams. She said there are perhaps many soldiers who have it in them to compete and would love to become Olympians, but don't realize how easy it is to apply, simply by visiting the WCAP website, looking up the criteria for a chosen sport and filling out an application.

Koplin mentioned that even with drive and determination, she would have struggled without the support of WCAP in terms of coaching, providing first-class training facilities and financing. "Being in WCAP took away any worries so I could focus 100% on training."

There are several factors that aspiring athletes should consider, she said. First and foremost, the person should be a good soldier. While training, it is up to each soldier to continue to meet the Army's requirements, including the physical fitness test and annual weapons qualification. Also, living the Army values, she said.

Training and diet play an enormous part too, she said, noting that she does rigorous workouts with weights and sprinting six days a week.

One final factor that Koplin said it takes — and she hesitated to mention it for fear of sounding mean — is genetics.

"No matter how self-motivated and hard-working you are, if you don't have the genes for your chosen sport, you won't succeed," she said.

Parachute Salutes

Army paratroopers jump from an Air Force C-17 Globemaster III over Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson, Alaska, July 10, 2020, as part of JBER Salutes, a two-day event to show appreciation to service members, nearly 100 Anchorage-area “COVID Heroes” and their guests.

Michigan Guardsmen Conduct Free COVID-19 Testing

July 13, 2020 | BY Army Staff Sgt. Tegan Kucera

Soldiers with the Michigan National Guard's Task Force 182nd provided free COVID-19 drive-thru testing in Cadillac, Michigan, for anyone who wanted to be tested.

"For the past couple of months, we've been assisting with COVID-19 testing across the state with prisons, long-term care facilities, community events and even soldiers for pre and post [annual training] testing," said Army Sgt. 1st Class Emanuel Mosley.

As the platoon sergeant for the task force within the 272nd Regional Support Group, Mosley was in charge of all the teams at the Cadillac testing site. All of the soldiers want the participants to feel as comfortable as possible while taking the test, he said.

"Any way I can help, it doesn't matter what it is, if I'm able to assist anything to ease that anxiety that people may have," Mosley said. "I understand this is a dynamic that no one ever experienced before, unless you're over 100 years old. This is something different that the world has to deal with, and I support it all the way. As long as I'm here to help, I'll do what I can."

For Mosley, this means talking with the citizens, explaining what they are doing and just easing the pressure they may be feeling. He said he hopes the participants will go and tell others, so they will be more inclined to get their own test done.

Testing the communities is just the current stage of the task force's mission. They started out testing prisoners and then moved onto testing long-term care patients. They are still delivering testing kits to any long-term care facilities that request them.

"I enjoy this,' Mosley said. "Having more than 19 years in, and being toward the end of my career, this is something different. This virus hit the world unexpectedly, and we were called up to participate. This has been great, and we've been enjoying ourselves as well as learning new things."

After so many years in the guard, this is the first time Mosley has participated in a state relief effort. But some guardsmen, like Army Pvt. Tyler Stone, were greeted by the pandemic straight out of the gate.

"It definitely threw me in the deep end, but I love it," Stone said. "I'm actually really glad I get this opportunity, because things like this don't come along that often. I'm just really glad I got out of training in time for this, and that I was able to help in any way that I could."

Stone completed his advanced training to become a medic a month before he was called up to be on this mission. He did not even have the opportunity to attend his first drill before he started performing tests across the state.

"Since we've opened, we've had nonstop people coming in, which is just fantastic because that's what we're here for. We love to see a big crowd," Stone said. "We love to help the community in any way we can."

Although the testing was conducted in the middle of the week, the turnout was far greater than expected. Task Force 182nd normally operates testing sites on the weekends, but for this one, they had old and young coming through, along with a young adult baseball team coming after practice.

"After doing this I think I will appreciate what the National Guard does even more, because a lot of people don't really understand all that we do," Stone said. "Getting to be out here and actually working to make a difference in my community is great. I've loved every second of it. I think enlisting was the best decision of my life."

Whether it comes at the beginning of a career or at the end, the soldiers who are conducting the COVID-19 tests really appreciate what they are doing. After conducting more than 60,000 tests, the teams with Task Force 182nd are making a difference all around the state.

(Army Staff Sgt. Tegan Kucera is assigned to the Michigan National Guard.)

Pennsylvania National Guard Augments State's Incident Management Team

July 13, 2020 | BY Army Lt. Col. Angela King-Sweigart

Several Pennsylvania National Guard soldiers integrated with the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency's incident management team to assist in planning the agency's COVID-19 response.

PEMA officials realized early that this response would be larger and more complex than prior responses, explained Army Maj. Jim O'Shea, the Pennsylvania National Guard’s emergency preparedness liaison officer for PEMA and the domestic operations exercise officer.

''So, one of the first augmentations they asked for were planners from the Pennsylvania National Guard,'' O'Shea said. “The Pennsylvania Guard is frequently mobilized to assist in emergencies like snow storms or flooding event. But those responses are often limited to a few counties for a few days.

''We are always ready to assist with troops that can provide capabilities like transportation as well as providing liaisons [at PEMA] and at the County Emergency Operations Centers,'' he continued. ''However, we have not previously provided planning support to the state incident management team. For COVID-19, we assisted the IMT as well as provided PEMA and [Department of NHealth] support with the Pennsylvania National Guard military medical planning team.''

Military members — with their experience in dealing with complex, prolonged, fluid and emergency events — are well-suited to assist in planning a large-scale and extended emergency response like COVID-19, said Army Lt. Col. Travis Shick, one of the planners who assisted.

''We don't do anything without formalized plans and analysis,'' Shick said. ''We may not always have the perfect answers, but if you needed planners in a rapid way, mobilizing the Pennsylvania National Guard was the right thing to do.''

You are ensuring those first responders and National Guard members on the ground are getting the information they need to help people.''

Army Maj. Jim O'Shea

Shick is the guard's branch chief for domestic operations, stationed at the joint operations center at Fort Indiantown Gap, the Pennsylvania National Guard’s headquarters. He deployed in 2009 as a brigade planning officer in Iraq and also worked as a division planning officer.

The planners assigned to PEMA were all senior officers with decades of military experience. They were able to assist with modeling expected COVID-19 infection timelines, establishing the five alternate care sites that were located throughout Pennsylvania and assist in other medical and logistics planning support throughout the crisis.

''Since we were available to provide more generalized planning support, we could free these experts up for planning that required their special knowledge,'' Shick said. ''Our presence helped PEMA staff members with specific skill sets, like a physician, work on issues that required their expertise.''

The planners were impressed by the skill of the PEMA personnel they were augmenting, Shick added.

''My biggest takeaway I had was not having had served at PEMA before,'' he said. ''I am extremely confident in their ability to handle emergencies after seeing it firsthand,'' he said. ''The other takeaway was the depth of horsepower PA has for dealing with emergencies.''

Both O'Shea and Shick thought being part of the COVID-19 response was worthwhile.

''You know you are part of something important,'' O'Shea said. ''You are ensuring those first responders and National Guard members on the ground are getting the information they need to help people.''

The guard has continued to provide a broad range of COVID-19 support to PEMA, including assistance at testing sites and nursing homes. Thousands of National Guardsmen nationwide are assisting with the COVID-19 response in a broad array of missions.

The Pennsylvania National Guard  is one of the largest and most deployed National Guards in the nation. In addition to its federal mission, the Pennsylvania National Guard responds to domestic emergencies, working with the PEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Northern Command and dozens of federal, state and local agencies. The guard maintains a joint operations center at Fort Indiantown Gap staffed by Pennsylvania Guard members 24/7 to support its domestic mission.

(Army Lt. Col. Angela King-Sweigart is assigned to Joint Force Headquarters, Pennsylvania National Guard.)

COVID-19 Sharpened Focus on Trans-Atlantic Security Gaps, Defense Official Says

July 13, 2020 | BY David Vergun , DOD News

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted a range of security issues that previously hadn't made it into NATO's discussions, a senior Defense Department official said.

Michael C. Ryan, performing the duties of assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs, spoke on NATO and trans-Atlantic security at the Brookings Institution's European Union Defense Washington Forum July 9, participating in the discussion via video from the Pentagon. Ryan also serves as the deputy assistant secretary of defense for European and NATO policy.

Russia and China already were conducting disinformation campaigns, but the pandemic only accelerated it, Ryan said, noting disinformation in the areas of medicine and diplomacy that were designed to ''sway our populations away from commitments to security, commitments to the alliance and commitments to trans-Atlantic cooperation.''

Harmful foreign investment from authoritarian regimes that don’t share democratic values has also been exposed, he said. Ownership of critical infrastructure by authoritarian regimes can result in that infrastructure becoming unavailable in a crisis, he added.

Also, dependencies on supply chains that are unreliable have clear security ramifications are ''very much on our mind in the Pentagon,'' Ryan said.

Military readiness and resilience in NATO, while very important, aren't enough —  nations also need political, economic and information readiness and resilience, he said.

One other area that needs to be improved, he said, is finding a way to merge law enforcement intelligence with military intelligence. Instead of confronting NATO's military directly, adversaries are conducting criminal activities that diminish trans-Atlantic security, he explained.

At a meeting of NATO heads of state and government held in London in December, leaders reiterated their declaration that NATO is the indispensable forum for trans-Atlantic consultations on security and defense, Ryan said. 

''Those consultations drive decisions in specific areas [that] are absolutely critical for bringing Washington together with allies and partners, and even European Union members who are not NATO members, to move in an effective direction so we can defend consensus, sustain deterrence and be prepared to act in our own defense when necessary,'' he said.

North America and Europe working together cooperatively can deal effectively with any malign influence coming from Russia or China, he added.

Marching Drills

Air Force basic cadets participate in the first phase of their training with marching drills at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., July 8, 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic changed the way in which the more than 1,100 basic cadets train because of social distancing and wearing face masks.