BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- Within 48 hours of notification, the Air Force Reserve mobilized more than 120 medical personnel across the nation to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. to help with the fight against COVID-19 in New York City.
The 307th Medical Squadron stepped into the fray, sending a registered nurse to aid in medical operations there.
“I couldn’t be more proud of our Airman’s willingness and ability to deploy so quickly, said Col. Steven Kirkpatrick, 307th Bomb Wing commander.
More than 40 doctors, 70 nurses and approximately 13 respiratory technicians from throughout the Air Force Reserve Command left their home stations on Saturday to help battle the COVID-19 outbreak in New York City.
Col. Teresa Bisnett, AFRC surgeon general emphasized the effort to ensure the right Reserve Citizen Airmen were selected for the deployment.
“We did not want to pull a doc or nurse out of their community clinical practice or hospital if already ensconced in coronavirus operations,” said Bisnett,.
As the top doctor at the command, Bisnett, her team of medical specialists, and the unit and wing commanders, took care to ensure the balance between civilian responsibilities and military requirements were considered in Citizen Airmen deployment selection.
The President’s March 27 executive order gave the AFRC authority to mobilize members of Air Force Reserve, as needed. The authority extends to all members of the command, including inactive ready reserve members and retired personnel with a remaining duty commitment.
Airmen willing to volunteer for mobilization should contact their squadron commander, unit deployment manager, Readiness Integration Office Detachment, Functional Area Manager and if medical, email: HQAFRC.SG.AFRCPHEOs@us.af.mil, to self-identify their availability. In the body of the e-mail please provide your name, rank, AFSC, assigned/attached unit, civilian email, address, phone number and if you are currently involved in COVID-19 response in your civilian job.