Impact of Coronavirus Across the Force | Withdrawal Underway in Iraq

March 18, 2020

Edited by Amy McCullough with Rachel S. Cohen, Brian W. Everstine, Jennifer-Leigh Oprihory and John A. Tirpak

Sky Warriors host CSAF at Hickam Airfield

Leading During Coronavirus: Goldfein’s Advice to Wing Commanders

By Brian W. Everstine

Wing commanders are in for the challenge of their careers with the coronavirus outbreak, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein wrote in a March 13 letter to Total Force leaders. “Commanding your wings when things are going well is a pleasure … but rarely remembered,” Goldfein wrote. “Commanding during a crisis is an opportunity for you, your Chief, and your spouse (or volunteer lead spouse) to rise to the occasion and lead through the storm. This is a time that will be remembered by all."

DOD Readies Hospital Ships, Reaches Into Strategic Reserve as Nation Combats COVID-19

By Brian W. Everstine

The Pentagon on March 17 reached into its strategic reserves to help respond to the new coronavirus outbreak, making available 5 million N95 respirator masks and 2,000 deployable ventilators. In addition, laboratories are available for COVID-19 testing as the Defense Department researches what other steps it can take. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said 1 million of the N95 masks are available to the Department of Health and Human Services immediately, and the DOD is looking at how to train civilian personnel to use the ventilators. Esper said he has talked to some governors about what the Pentagon can provide as the need for additional medical infrastructure grows, though he cautioned the military’s capabilities are not a panacea for restraining the spread of COVID-19.

Coronavirus Having Little Impact on USAF Training

By Jennifer-Leigh Oprihory

The COVID-19 pandemic won’t halt most Air Force training yet, Air Education and Training Command said in a March 17 release. But it may look a little different, as officials attempt to mitigate coronavirus exposure. Although the Defense Department’s “response to the coronavirus outbreak continues to be dynamic and policy may quickly change,” here’s what the pandemic means for Air Force training and education as of March 17.

Pentagon Keeps Eye on Defense Industrial Base as COVID-19 Pandemic Evolves

By John A. Tirpak

The Pentagon has started a daily dialogue with its top vendors as it attempts to measure and mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on the defense industry. Meanwhile, Boeing and Lockheed Martin said production on major acquisition systems like the KC-46 tanker and F-35 strike fighter will continue.

STRATCOM: Triad’s Isolation Keeps Nuke Operations Normal Amid Outbreak

By Brian W. Everstine

The nation’s nuclear triad is working to get ahead of the new coronavirus outbreak by placing key personnel in “protective self-quarantines.” U.S. Strategic Command also is prescreening service members and depending on long-established redundancies in a community designed to operate independently, Adm. Charles Richard told reporters March 17. So far, the impact of the virus has been “minimal,” he added.

U.S. Forces Withdrawing from Key Operating Bases in Iraq

By Brian W. Everstine

The U.S.-led coalition is withdrawing from multiple small bases around Iraq, as even more rockets target American operating locations within the country. U.S. forces demolished much of their share of the Al Qaim base near the border with Syria, and formally transferred the base to Iraqi Security Forces on March 17. Troops also will withdraw from other locations in the country, such as K-1 Air Base in Kirkuk and Qayyarah West near Mosul.

USAF Issues Seed Money for Four Light-Attack Aircraft

By Rachel S. Cohen

The Air Force is moving ahead with contracts for both finalists involved in its exploration of light-attack aircraft, issuing awards to both Textron’s AT-6 and Sierra Nevada Corp.’s A-29 over the past few weeks. Formal funding is the latest step in the Air Force’s light-attack experiment that began in 2017, though it falls short of the large-scale procurement that some want. Textron announced March 16 it will use $70.2 million from the Air Force to provide two AT-6 Wolverines. SNC also earned an award worth up to approximately $129 million for two aircraft.

Radar Sweep

Trump: Boeing Could Get Financial Bailout for Coronavirus

Defense News

The U.S. government is considering providing financial assistance for Boeing in light of the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic, President Donald Trump said March 17. Boeing has found itself in financial disarray as a novel strain of coronavirus known as COVID-19 has worked its way across the globe, prompting countries including the U.S. to issue travel bans, flight restrictions, and guidance instructing citizens to stay home and avoid traveling.

The Military Can Reinforce The Postal System If COVID-19 Causes Delivery Disruptions

The Drive

The standing contingency plans speak to the immense logistical resources the military could provide to help keep vital supply chains functioning.

Senate Passes Emergency Bill Protecting GI Bill Benefits as Colleges Go Online

Stars and Stripes (Subscription Required)

The Senate approved a measure late March 16 that would ensure student veterans continue to receive full GI Bill benefits, even as colleges go online-only in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Political Battle Brewing over New Nuclear Program

National Defense Magazine

The Trump administration’s proposal to begin work on a new nuclear warhead program to modernize the nation’s aging stockpile is expected to be hotly contested.

Space Force Needs to Prepare for a New Cold War in Earth’s Orbit

Digital Trends

“The bottom line,” said retired USAF Lt. Gen. Chris Bogdan, “is that we want to learn how to fight in space. Just as we know how to fight on air, land, sea, and, in some respects, in cyberspace. Space is a new warfighting domain. Our job is to try and help the Department of Defense to become space warfighters.”

Air Force Charity Ball Canceled Due to COVID-19 Pandemic

Air Force Charity Ball press release

The sold-out 2020 Air Force Charity Ball, which was slated for March 21 and was supposed to benefit the Air Force Aid Society, has been cancelled due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis. AFAS CEO and retired Air Force Lt. Gen. John Hopper and 2020 USAF Charity Ball Committee Chair Cheryl Roberson made the announcement and urged supporters to donate their 2020 event sponsorships to the charity.

One More Thing

Air Force Vet Hoarded 17,700 Bottles of Hand Sanitizer and Had No Place to Sell Them

Air Force Times

It takes a unique perspective to witness the suffering of innocent people and think, “How can I turn this into a profitable enterprise?” That’s where Matt Colvin comes in.