Photo By Natalie Stanley | Staff Sgt. Randy Bellagamba, 926th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 926th Wing, works on...... read more read more
NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- Recently, Lt. Gen. Richard Scobee, commander of Air Force Reserve Command, said his number one priority during COVID-19 is to take care of Reserve Citizen Airmen and their families, while at the same time balancing national defense taskings and requirements.
For the maintainers of the 926th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 926th Wing, this balance of safety and mission means they are still hard at work on the flight line at Nellis AFB, supporting the full range of missions to include tactics, training and operational testing.
In order to take care of their essential mission Airmen, 926th AMXS leadership have been following Department of Defense directives and also mirroring their regular Air Force counterparts in an effort to isolate possible exposure, said Chief Master Sgt. Matthew Bennato, 926th Aircraft Maintenance Unit Superintendent.
“We've scaled back our manning by 50 percent, with crews working alternating weeks,” Bennato said. “Just like normal operations or a modified flying schedule, we will ensure adequate levels of supervision and manning are balanced across all shifts to safely and efficiently accomplish the mission.”
The flow of up-to-date information has been crucial in protecting those on the flight line and at home.
“We've been in contact with our traditional reservist, Air Reserve Technicians and civilians to pass along guidance from 926th WG leadership, Air Force Reserve Command, DoD and Center For Disease Control,” he said. “We know some of our members are directly affected with schools closing, single parent situations, spouses being laid off, trouble getting food or baby formula to name a few. We are making accommodations to support them.”
Bennato emphasized the level of professionalism and dedication the Airmen of the 926th AMXS have shown throughout the ever changing COVID-19 pandemic.
“Our members have been incredible, they have a strong sense of duty and haven’t complained,” Bennato said. “During times like this, it's inspiring to see how our folks rise to the occasion.”
If you develop flu-like symptoms with fever and cough or shortness of breath and may have had contact with a person who has COVID-19 or had recent travel to areas considered high-risk, contact your health care provider before seeking medical care to prevent possible transmission in the health care setting.
For more information, visit https://www.afrc.af.mil/COVID-19/
| Date Taken: | 03.25.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 03.28.2020 11:18 |
| Story ID: | 365902 |
| Location: | NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, NV, US |
| Web Views: | 52 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Balancing safety and mission during a pandemic, by Natalie Stanley, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT