Page 10 - Luke AFB Thunderbolt, May 2020

10 May 2020 Feature http://www.luke.af.mil
Thunderbolt
www.aerotechnews.com/lukeafb

First of 944th medics mobilize for COVID-19 response

by Capt.
MONIQUE ROUx
944th Fighter Wing
In response to short-notice mobilization orders, several
members of the 944th Aeromedical Staging Squadron de-
ployed to aid in the COVID-19 response in New York City
and surrounding states.
This deployment is part of a larger mobilization pack-
age, activated by President Donald Trump, of more than
120 doctors, nurses, and respiratory technicians that Air
Force Reserve units across the nation provided in the
month of April in support of COVID-19 response to take
care of Americans.
In accordance with Defense Department and the Centers
for Disease Control guidance, deployed members received
medical evaluation and were screened for impact to their
civilian communities and professions.
“We did not want to pull a doc or nurse out of their com-
munity clinical practice or hospital if already ensconced in
coronavirus operations,” said Col. Teresa Bisnett, Air Force
Reserve Command surgeon general. “It was truly a team
effort with our units to ensure the right Reservists were
selected to provide this surge capability to our nation.”
As one of the hardest hit regions in the United States, the
Northeast is considered the epicenter of the coronavirus.
“My priority for the wing remains to take care of our
Airmen and their families. We’ll keep doing that so these
members can go help take care of Americans in need,” said
Col. James Greenwald, 944th Fighter Wing commander.
“We will stay connected with them and we will continue
to help care for their families while they are deployed.”
The 944th ASTS has over 125 Reserve Citizen Airmen Photos by Tech. Sgt. Courtney richardson
boasting a range of medical job specialties. Of the squad- Mobilized Air Force Reserve medics board a C-17 in route to “hot zones” April 5 in support of the COVID-19
ron members, all but a handful are traditional reservists, pandemic from Luke Air Force Base. This deployment is part of a larger mobilization package of more than 120
serving part-time in the 944th Fighter Wing while main- doctors, nurses and respiratory technicians Air Force Reserve units across the nation provided in early April in
taining the same standards and training as their active support of the COVID-19 response to take care of Americans. The C-17 is deployed from March Air Reserve Base,
duty counterparts. California.

Maj. David Kreis, 944th Fighter Wing chaplain, prays for mobi-
lized Air Force Reserve medics before they board their airlift in
support of the COVID-19 pandemic deployment.

Mobilized Air Force Re-
serve medics pose for a LEFT: First Lt.
photo with their leader- Danielle Clark,
ship before they board 944th Aeromedical
their airlift. Staging Squadron
clinical nurse,
LEFT: Maj. Avram Aaron talks with Col.
Brammostyn, 944th James Greenwald,
Aeromedical Staging 944th Fighter Wing
Squadron flight sur- commander, as
geon, checks in with Chief Master Sgt.
Col. James Greenwald, Catherine Buchan-
944th FW commander, an, 944th FW com-
and Chief Master Sgt. mand chief, listens
Catherine Buchanan, in before Clark de-
944th FW command parts in support of
chief, before he departs. the deployment.