DoD calls on National Guard for help in health crisis
The Department of Defense (DoD) has activated 2,050 National Guard personnel in 27 states to help support efforts to stem the spread of coronavirus in the US.
National Guard units are playing differing roles across each of the 27 states. In New York State, they are delivering food and ensuring the maintenance of supply chains, whilst the Tennessee Air National Guard used C-17 Globemasters on 16 March to transport 500,000 COVID-19 testing kits from Italy to Memphis.
Additionally, 500 troops are collecting “drive-thru” samples in Florida and Guard Liaison Officers are advising and assisting the New Orleans Office of Homeland Security in Louisiana.
Air Force General Joseph Lengyel said that the National Guard remains ‘flexible and committed for whatever mission we may be called to do’.
As of 19 March, six National Guard personnel had tested positive for the virus.
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