An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | March 20, 2020

New Jersey Guard's 108th Wing supports COVID-19 response

By Airman 1st Class Andrea Williamson 108th Wing

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. – New Jersey Air National Guard members with the 108th Wing will help state and local authorities with COVID-19 response operations.

“They will head to Sea Girt [National Guard Training Center] for specific mission briefs, rules of engagement, and a run-through,” said Chief Master Sgt. Lance Endee, 108th Wing Security Forces manager.

The 22 Guard members will provide traffic control and security for a COVID-19 community-based testing site at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel. The site, established in partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, will be staffed by the New Jersey Department of Health, New Jersey State Police and the New Jersey National Guard.

The volunteers, mostly Security Forces Airmen, will team with 18 Air Guard members assigned to the 177th Fighter Wing, from Atlantic City Air National Guard Base in Egg Harbor Township.

“Expanding access to testing is critical in mitigating the spread of COVID-19 and flattening the curve in New Jersey,” said Gov. Phil Murphy, who activated the Guard. “I am grateful to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for their swift response in fulfilling our request for specimen collection kits and personal protective equipment so that we can successfully offer expansive drive-thru testing in New Jersey.”

“I am really proud of the men and women of the 108th Wing for stepping up at a moment’s notice to support our state mission,” said Endee.

Community-based testing sites are for people experiencing symptoms of respiratory illness. Those who are not symptomatic will not be tested, so as not to divert testing kits, laboratory materials and other critical resources from those who are ill.

Each site will be allocated 2,500 specimen collection kits and personal protective equipment for all staff. Specimens will be transmitted to the contracted laboratory twice per day, with results reported in two to five business days. Testing is free and will be covered by the federal government or personal insurance. Individuals are encouraged to bring insurance cards if they have them.

 

 

Related Articles
New York Army National Guard Pvt. Joshua Morales, a member of the 133rd Combat Support Company, directs a COVID-19 vaccination registrant to The State University of New York, Stony Brook, vaccination site March 16th, 2021.
NY National Guard Wraps up Federally Funded COVID-19 Mission
By Eric Durr, | July 1, 2022
LATHAM, N.Y. - More than 840 days after the first Soldiers and Airmen went on duty to stem an outbreak of the COVID-19 virus in New Rochelle, the New York National Guard’s federally supported COVID-19 mission came to an end...

Air Force Tech. Sgt. Elizabeth Nardo, 158th Fighter Wing, Vermont Air National Guard, injects James Bordeaux with a dose of COVID-19 vaccine at Camp Johnson, Vermont, March 18, 2021.
Vermont National Guard Concludes COVID-19 Missions
By Capt. Mikel Arcovitch, | June 30, 2022
COLCHESTER, Vt. – Vermont National Guard Soldiers and Airmen supporting Vermont’s COVID-19 response mission officially end orders July 1.The first mission began March 23, 2020, when Soldiers established a medical surge...

Brig. Gen. Tim Covington, the Wisconsin National Guard’s deputy adjutant general for civil support, presents a coin to 2nd Lt. Jonathon Jennings for his leadership as a platoon leader of Wisconsin National Guard nursing assistants supporting health care facilities during a ceremony at the Mayo Clinic in La Crosse April 26, 2022. The Wisconsin National Guard is winding down its nursing assistant support mission around the state.
Wisconsin National Guard wraps up nursing care support
By Maj. Joe Trovato, | April 29, 2022
LA CROSSE, Wis. – After more than three months, Wisconsin National Guard members’ mission to help as nursing assistants at state health care facilities is winding down.Senior Wisconsin National Guard leaders and officials...