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AFGSC commander releases intent for dynamic COVID-19 response

  • Published

 

Gen. Tim Ray, Air Force Global Strike Command commander, released his Commander’s Intent for operations in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

The memorandum directed leadership teams across all units and locations in the command to embrace flexibility and maintain an operational mindset, while driving the status of their installation and forces to ensure AFGSC maintains a sustainable alert force in support of the Nation’s defense. 

“As we execute our critical mission, our people’s health and safety are a priority,” Ray said. “Communication to and from all levels will be key to preserving our lethality, and it starts with commanders.”

Ray’s message to the field outlines three specific areas that are aimed at protecting the Airmen, families, teammates and ultimately the global-strike conventional and nuclear missions: 

1. Protect our healthcare workers. Call medical treatment facilities prior to arrival if symptomatic, whether on base or off, to limit risk of exposure to unprotected medical personnel.  

2. Ensuring Child Development Centers remain operational. Continued operations of Child Development Centers will follow the established priority usage hierarchy, especially in mission essential status.  

3. Ensuring access to food operations. Continue to provide military dining facilities and other food service operations, to the fullest extent possible, unless circumstances dictate dining facilities be restricted to mission essential customers and members and families under restricted movement. 

Additionally, Ray implemented a new command-wide travel, pass, and leave policy that requires active-duty members be within one hour of their primary residence during all regular pass periods. Under this national emergency, it is expected that military members will restrict travel and exposure to the maximum extent possible, meaning to and from work and home, and to establishments supplying basic needs. Ray also recommended that DoD civilian employees, contractors and families adhere to DoD travel guidance. 

“With the rapid spread of COVID-19, a pandemic that has led to a national emergency, we are in the midst of an unprecedented time for our force and families,” Ray said. “Our initial response to this crisis was good, but we still have work to do.”

AFGSC commanders are expected to be the bold, authentic leaders the Nation has called them to be. Meanwhile, all Airmen are expected to do the right thing, take the necessary precautions and continue practicing all issued hygienic guidance so the command can continue to be the dynamic and lethal force our nation deserves.