Photo By Tech. Sgt. James Bentley | U.S. Army National Guard Command Sgt. Maj. Donnie Grace honors Tech. Sgt. Kevin Schmale with a challenge coin at Alabama National Guard Armory, Huntsville, Ala., March 6, 2020. Schmale was recognized for his extraordinary service and leadership as part of Task Force 31, a joint force assembled to protect vulnerable populations from COVID-19 by decontaminating long term care facilities. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by: Tech. Sgt. Jim Bentley) see less
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HUNTSVILLE, Ala.— Senior enlisted leadership met yesterday to honor service members who showed extraordinary leadership as part of Task Force 31.
Task Force 31 is a joint force created to combat the spread of COVID-19. They disinfect long term care facilities in order to prevent infections among the populations most vulnerable to the disease.
Command Sergeant Major Donnie Grace met with command chiefs and sergeants major from bases which had contributed service members to the task force. They first assembled at Attala Health and Rehab to deliver a challenge coin for Staff Sergeant Derek Scovil. At the time disinfection was still underway, so he was unable to receive the honor in person.
They then went to the Alabama National Guard Armory to address another strike team. There they presented challenge coins to Private First Class Barfoot and Technical Sergeant Kevin Schmale. Service members who were selected exhibited extraordinary leadership in the effort to combat the virus.
Two of those honored, Tech Sgt. Schmale and Staff Sgt. Scovil, are members of the 117th Air Refueling Wing at Sumpter Smith Joint National Guard Base, Birmingham, Ala.
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