The Air Force reported seven active-duty airmen have tested positive for the coronavirus. But global operations, the movement of test kits, and the capacity to transport infected persons have not been disrupted, said Air Force chief of staff Gen. David L. Goldfein.
“Our numbers right now are low, but we are taking it very seriously,” Goldfein said in a telephone briefing with Pentagon reporters. He then invited the surgeon general of the Air Force, Lt. Gen. Dorothy A. Hogg, to deliver a more sobering assessment.
“We do know that our cases will increase just like they are in the general public,” she said. “We are paying attention to those cases and identifying contacts and implementing measures to decrease exposures.”
The Air Force is moving test kits at the request of the Department of Health and Human Services and maintaining flights into and out of Level 3 countries with strict isolation practices for crew members.
“We’ve got to keep this global mobility mission running,” Goldfein said. The Air Force leader described practices including screenings, temperature tests, isolation, and social distancing of crew members to prevent the contagion from spreading.
“Even if you’re a Level 3 country like, let’s say, Italy. Aviano Air Base has still got to be able to fly, but they can’t fly unless they have parts. They’ve got to have continual supply,” he said.
Goldfein also said C-17 and C-5 aircraft could move large numbers of COVID-19 test kits, as needed.
“I don’t see any limitation in terms of our ability to move the test kits and the things that HHS is asking for,” he said.
Both leaders declined to discuss how many isolation chambers for infected COVID-19 persons are available but only stated that “less than 10” of such chambers can be moved at a time on an aircraft.
The Air Force said exercises that have been canceled thus far were “still recoverable” and that the Air Force Academy had sent home the lower three classes, keeping its senior class on pace to graduate by May.
Aircraft parts and industrial supply chains are also getting a close look to ensure that aircraft can remain in the sky.
“This is a concern going forward,” Goldfein said. “Right now, today, we have not seen a limitation that has caused us to pause.”
Defense Secretary Mark Esper reportedly asked the Air Force to consider both fixed-wing and rotary wing capacity to assist HHS should the department ask, and logistics studies are underway.
“We’ve got fighters, bombers, containers deployed in order to keep America safe,” Goldfein said.
