Photo By Staff Sgt. Brian Jarvis | An AV-8B Harrier aircraft lands at the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center,...... read more read more
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ALPENA, Mich. – Even during a global pandemic, U.S. military operations must go on—and that goes for the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center of northern Michigan.
With all of its non-essential operations suspended on account of COVID-19, the Alpena CRTC nevertheless agreed to host U.S. Marine Corps flying squadron VMA-542 as it conducts a series of training sorties and daily flights to Grayling Aerial Gunnery Range.
“Our core mission is forging warfighters. In light of the pandemic, our priorities are to protect the force, their families and continuity of operations in support of these warfighters,” said Col. John Miner, Alpena CRTC commander. “With a number of well-thought-out adjustments, we remain in compliance with both Department of Defense and our Governor’s efforts to stem the spread of the virus. By demonstrating our resolve to train, comply, and still get results even under these conditions, it sends a very strong strategic message that we're prepared to train and fight under any circumstances.”
Over the course of their two-week training mission that kicked off on April 17, VMA-542 will continue to fly their AV-8B Harrier aircraft, based out of Cherry Point, N.C. Military leaders have stressed that the training is geared toward pre-deployment, not law enforcement, and Alpena residents should not be alarmed at the sight or sound of military aircraft.
“We’re conducting training that can only be accomplished in the unique setting of northern Michigan, and we’re committed to taking every precaution to ensure the health and well-being of our people,” said Lt. Col. Brian Davis, VMA-542 commanding officer. “Marines being able to train in Alpena is the culmination of months of planning, coordination, and mitigation efforts to ensure we can simultaneously accomplish our training goals while also safeguarding the health of our Marines and local residents. Even during this unprecedented time, we must continue to train so that we can be the most ready when the nation needs us.”
Master Sgt. James Fuller, Alpena CTRC Services noncommissioned officer in charge, said VMA-542 is self-isolating to the fullest extent while lodged on base, having been issued their own cleaning and sanitizing supplies in lieu of housekeeping services. Typical amenities such as gym facilities and indoor/outdoor recreational gear are not available, though Marines can order from a select list of local restaurants that offer delivery or pickup.
“It won’t be one hundred Marines going into town, it’ll be one or two Marines going into town for any needed supplies such as bottled water, snacks, toiletries or whatever else someone may have forgotten to bring,” Fuller said. “From a services standpoint, I think the Marines coming here is a good thing for the base, and it helps push some money into the community. We’ve been doing this for many years, and we still have a mission to maintain.”
Staff Sgt. Timothy Frasier, Alpena CRTC public health manager, noted that VMA-542 has their own flight doctor on hand, as well as their own COVID-19 testing kits with 24-hour turnaround if anyone shows symptoms. Should a member test positive, a C-12 aircraft is on standby to transport them home.
“It’s the nature of our training facility to give them space to do their training. We’ll be more hands-off than we’d normally be, but while they’re on our soil, all we ask is to be able to track them and any cases that arise,” Frasier said.
Since the day COVID-19 was declared a pandemic, the Alpena CRTC has been conducting daily briefings and health checks. While on base, VMA-542 personnel are asked to follow both the guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the executive orders issued by the state of Michigan.
“We’re doing everything in our power to keep our community safe, because we live in this community and it’s incredibly important to us and the installation,” Frasier added, "and we ask the community to do their part as well.”
| Date Taken: | 04.24.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 04.26.2020 13:01 |
| Story ID: | 368437 |
| Location: | ALPENA, MI, US |
| Web Views: | 678 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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