Photo By Tech. Sgt. Andrew Enriquez | Soldiers of the D.C. National Guard secure a load of protective facemasks on a Light...... read more read more
Washington, D.C.-- Soldiers of the District of Columbia National Guard transported 50,000 sophisticated fabric protective face masks from their manufacturer in Asheboro, NC to D.C. General warehouse Saturday, 25 April 2020. The mission departed Davison Army Air Field, VA in a flight of three UH-60 Blackhawks and one UH-72 Lakota helicopter to retrieve the masks, which were then transferred to Light Medium Tactical Vehicle (LMTV) trucks and taken to the warehouse awaiting distribution to first responders.
According to D.C. Assistant City Administrator Jay Melder, the masks were procured by the District in order to fulfill a need among first responders and medical caregivers. Reasons for the selection of the masks were that they are durable, washable, woven with anti-microbial fibers, and manufactured in the U.S.
“Face coverings, even in a non-healthcare or medical setting, are going to be key to flattening the curve of COVID-19, but also to increase our ability to hopefully, one day soon, open up D.C. more,” Melder said. “We were able to find these manufacturers, to vet their products—they had them available, and we had a way to go get them, thanks to the National Guard.”
Melder represented the District during the mission and flew aboard the Lakota.
“The experience working with the Guard was fantastic,” Melder said. “In my view, flawless execution and professional execution, and, on a personal note a lot of fun.”
Mission officer-in-charge Capt. Marc Savioli reciprocated the view that the interagency cooperation was easy and effective, and personally satisfying:
“It’s what we train for as Guardsmen,” Savioli said. “We have our warfighting mission, and we are very extremely serious and focused on picking up for federal missions and supporting combatant commanders on overseas deployments, but that dual purpose of supporting our community, in this case, the city, it was a great honor. I’m extremely proud as a ‘Capital Guardian’ to be able to support the District of Columbia with the help that's going to get right to the people who need it.”
Savioli, who has flown 87 combat missions over Iraq and Afghanistan during two deployments, also flew one of the Blackhawks through shifting weather conditions that forced pilots to adjust plans and flying techniques.
“Army aviation works as a team, and it was really, really good work from everyone, from the crew chiefs to the launch desk and all the pilots who flew,” Savioli said.
Some of the masks are already being worn by Guardsmen, first responders, and medical personnel.
| Date Taken: | 04.25.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 05.22.2020 12:57 |
| Story ID: | 368505 |
| Location: | DC, US |
| Web Views: | 34 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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