Page 10 - Aerotech News and Review, January 22, 2021

Edwards Air Force Base
Emergency field hospital supplies land at Plant 42

by Giancarlo Casem resupply missions. The 412th Test Wing leader-
Edwards AFB, Calif. ship at Edwards Air Force Base, California, has
also put a call out for volunteers to help staff the
PALMDALE, Calif.—NASA Armstrong emergency field hospital.
Flight Research Center received a special arrival “Plant 42 is often referred to as the ‘downtown’
Jan. 11; a DC-8 cargo aircraft from Samaritan’s Air Force. Our location puts us strategically in
Purse arrived, carrying supplies for an Emergen-
cy Field Hospital at Antelope Valley Hospital in the heart of the Lancaster/Palmdale communities
Lancaster, Calif. in the Aerospace Valley,” said Dr. David Smith,
The field hospital has been set up to support Air Force Plant 42 Director. “As such, our per-
the AV community in treating COVID-19 pa- sonnel and more importantly, our thousands of
tients. The effort is spearheaded by Samaritan’s mission partners, call this home. We are delighted
Purse, a faith-based organization that has provid- to extend medical care to our community as it
ed physical aid to victims of war, poverty, natural directly impacts our ‘home team’ area of opera-
disasters, disease and famine. tions. This care facility also directly supports our
To support the effort, Air Force Plant 42 in own personnel’s medical needs, which in turn di-
Palmdale has allowed use of its airfield for de- rectly support the warfighter.”
livery of initial arrival components as well as Samaritan’s Purse’s Assistant to the Vice Presi-

Air Force photograph by Giancarlo Casem
A Samaritan’s Purse DC-8 taxis into NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center at Air Force Plant 42
in Palmdale, Calif., Jan. 11, 2020. The aircraft delivered supplies for an Emergency Field Hospital
being constructed at Antelope Valley Hospital in nearby Lancaster, California. Samaritan’s Purse
is charitable organization which has partnered with Lancaster Baptist Church, the city of Lancaster
and AV Hospital to provide a 70-bed temporary field hospital to support COVID-19 patients.

dent of Programs and Government Relations, Ed- port our community. This is our home, so the
ward Graham, was accompanied by Plant 42 and dedication and selfless service from our person-
NASA Armstrong leadership as the DC-8 arrived nel and our mission partners is most satisfying,”
and its contents were off-loaded by NASA and Smith said. “Service is a core value of our Air
Samaritans Purse crews. They have partnered Force, and the folks at the Plant exemplify this
with Lancaster Baptist Church and Antelope valued characteristic.”
Valley Hospital to construct the 70-bed tempo- Samaritan’s Purse is looking for both medical
rary field hospital. The field hospital will serve
COVID-positive patients who do not need the and non-medical volunteers. Edwards AFB and
support of a ventilator. Plant 42 personnel who wish to volunteer may
Plant 42 is no stranger to supporting the local reach out to their supervisors for unit-specific
Air Force photograph by Giancarlo Casem community, from providing support to STEM en- volunteering procedures.
A NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center crewmember offloads supplies from a DC-8 for an gagements at local schools, to executing mutual Medical professionals can sign up at http://
Emergency Field Hospital at Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, Calif., Jan. 11. 2020. Samaritan’s aid for major wildland fires and nearby vehicle samaritanspurse.org/dartapp, non-medical per-
Purse, charitable organization, has partnered with Lancaster Baptist Church, the city of Lancaster sonnel can sign up at https://lancasterca.seam-
and AV Hospital to provide a 70-bed temporary field hospital to support COVID-19 patients. accidents, Smith explained.
“The entire Plant 42 team is delighted to sup- lessdocs.com/f/VolunteerForm
STARBASE Edwards distributes STEM kits to local school

by Giancarlo Casem wheels” instructional portion of STAR- for Reserve Affairs. At DOD STAR-
Edwards AFB, Calif. BASE that ran from August until No- BASE, students participate in challeng-
vember. After a “stay-at-home order” ing “hands-on, mind-on” activities in
STARBASE Edwards distributed was imposed on Californian residents STEM, according to the DOD. They
STEM (Science, Technology, Engi- due to a recent spike in COVID-19 interact with military personnel to ex-
neering and Math) kits to the Palmdale cases, STARBASE Edwards partnered plore careers and observe STEM ap-
Aerospace Academy in Palmdale, Ca- with Lockheed Martin to plan for the plications in the “real world.” The pro-
lif., Jan. 14. 2021. kits, Flores explained. gram provides students with 25 hours
STARBASE Edwards partnered “At Lockheed Martin, we are com- of stimulating experiences at National
with NASA and the Museum of Arts mitted to partnering with organizations Guard, Navy, Marine, Air Force Re-
and History (MOAH-Lancaster) to like STARBASE to inspire students to serve, Army and Air Force bases across
create a total of eight lessons, while study science, technology, engineering the nation.
the Lockheed Martin Corporation do- and math,” said Claudia Clark, Lock- STARBASE focuses on elemen-
nated grant funds to purchase supplies heed Martin Community Relations. tary students, primarily fifth graders.
for 1,500 STEM kits for community “Local STEM outreach is one of the The goal is to motivate them to ex-
youths in Title 1 schools in Palmdale most impactful ways to make a real plore STEM as they continue their ed-
and Lancaster. difference and give back in the com- ucation. The academies serve students
“We are truly appreciative to all munities where our employees live and that are historically under-represented
of our donors that have made a posi- work.” in STEM. Students who live in inner
tive impact on our program and mis- STARBASE Edwards is a joint cities or rural locations, those who are
sion to provide STEM exposure to our program between the Department of socio-economically disadvantaged, low
youths,” said Amira Flores, STAR- Air Force photograph by Grady Fontana Defense, the 412th Test Wing at Ed- in academic performance or have a dis-
BASE Edwards Director. Amira Flores, STARBASE Edwards Director, displays the contents of a STEM wards Air Force Base, local educators, ability are in the target group. The pro-
The kits are designed to expose (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) kit at Palmdale Aerospace non-profit organizations and industry gram encourages students to set goals
Academy in Palmdale, California, Jan. 14. The lesson kits were assembled by
school-aged children to STEM and the STARBASE Edwards and the Museum of Arts and History (MOAH-Lancaster) partners. The goal of STARBASE is to and achieve them.
various possible careers in the field and while the Lockheed Martin Corporation donated the grant to purchase supplies increase children’s interest in science, For more information about the
within the Antelope Valley. The An- for 1,500 STEM kits to community youths in Title 1 schools in Palmdale and technology, engineering and math- STARBASE Edwards or STEM-re-
telope Valley is sometimes referred to Lancaster. ematics (STEM). lated lesson ideas for parents, please
as Aerospace Valley, due to the role it The Department of Defense’s visit their social media pages: Face-
has played in historic aviation firsts and dents with hands-on STEM experience STARBASE Edwards Teacher. STARBASE is a premier educational book: https://www.facebook.com/
technology breakthroughs. while participating in virtual STAR- The ideation for the kits began in program sponsored by the Office of starbase.edwards.9 and Instagram: @
“These STEM kits will provide stu- BASE instructions,” said Auxi Grimes, December 2020, following an “on the Assistant Secretary of Defense starbase.edwards

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