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.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
You may also like
More from Defence Notes
-
![How might European countries look to tackle drone incursions?]()
How might European countries look to tackle drone incursions?
Disruption of infrastructure in Europe, whether by cyberattack, physical damage to pipelines or uncrewed aerial vehicles flying over major airports, as has happened more recently, is on the rise. What is the most effective way of countering the aerial aspect of this not-so-open warfare?
-
![Taiwan approved for $11 billion weapon purchase from US]()
Taiwan approved for $11 billion weapon purchase from US
The US State Department’s approval of a multi-billion-dollar sale of weapons to Taiwan includes tactical mission networks equipment, uncrewed aerial systems, artillery rocket systems and self-propelled howitzers as well as anti-tank guided missiles.
-
![Ireland spells out $2.3 billion shopping list in five-year defence spending plan]()
Ireland spells out $2.3 billion shopping list in five-year defence spending plan
Ireland’s multi-annual investment in capital defence spending is set to rise from €300m in 2026 to €360m in 2029–2030 with major upgrades across land, air, maritime and cyber domains.
-
![Canada to deepen integration of multi-domain capabilities to strengthen its defences]()
Canada to deepen integration of multi-domain capabilities to strengthen its defences
The Canadian Department of National Defence has created new organisations to manage the procurement and integration of all-domain solutions and allocated US$258.33 million to strengthen production capacities.
-
![US National Security Strategy prioritises advanced military capabilities and national industry]()
US National Security Strategy prioritises advanced military capabilities and national industry
The 2025 NSS has emphasised investment in the US nuclear and air defence inventory and national industry, but it leaves multiple unanswered questions on how the White House will implement this approach.
-
![Canada set to look away from its neighbour and across the Atlantic for partners]()
Canada set to look away from its neighbour and across the Atlantic for partners
While non-EU UK struggles to join the Security Action for Europe initiative, which provides loans for defence programmes, Canada has become the first country outside Europe to get access – and did so for a nominal fee.
