National Guard COVID-19 Response

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Secretary Esper enhances National Guard’s rapid COVID-19 response
March 28, 2020 — ARLINGTON, Va. – As more than 13,880 National Guard members support the whole-of-America response to... MORE

A nurse changes out gloves while New Jersey National Guard Airmen direct traffic at a COVID-19 Community-Based Testing Site at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, N.J., March 23, 2020.

Ohio National Guard member serving a greater purpose
March 28, 2020 — COLUMBUS, Ohio – Nearly 400 members of the Ohio National Guard, go to work each day packaging,... MORE

U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Justin Rainier, a logistics readiness officer, assigned to the 178th Wing was called to State Active Duty and is currently serving on Joint Task Force-37 for Operation Steady Resolve, briefs commanders March 23, 2020, at the Defense Supply Center in Columbus, Ohio.

NY Governor praises National Guard members for dedication
March 27, 2020 — New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo praised the courage, skill and dedication of members of the New York Army and Air National Guard during a press conference at the Javits Convention Center in New York City on Friday, March 27... MORE

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo speaks at a press conference at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City, March 27, 2020. The convention center will be an alternate care site as part of New York’s multi-agency response to COVID-19.

NY National Guard doubles force responding to COVID-19
March 27, 2020 — LATHAM, N.Y. – The New York National Guard has doubled the number of members helping to mitigate the... MORE

The New York National Guard, working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and local, state and federal partners bring in hospital supplies to the Jacob Javits Center in New York March 23, 2020, to handle expected patient overflow. The facility will start with 250 beds with the capability to expand to 1,000 beds.

Growing Louisiana Guard presence supports COVID-19 response
March 27, 2020 — ALEXANDRIA, La. – More than 660 members of the Louisiana National Guard are assisting with the... MORE

Pvt. Pat Dawsonhassell, a 20-year-old Lake Charles resident with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion,156th Infantry Regiment, 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, screens patients at a COVID-19 mobile testing site at Burton Coliseum in Lake Charles, Louisiana, March 26, 2020.

More Iowa National Guard members join COVID-19 fight
March 27, 2020 — JOHNSTON, Iowa – Approximately 40 Soldiers from the 67th Troop Command based in Iowa City were... MORE

Staff Sgt. Mariah Klingenberg, a force support squadron Airman with the 132d Wing, Iowa Air National Guard, reads a Soldier’s temperature before they enter the Joint Emergency Operations Center March 26, 2020. Iowa National Guard Soldiers and Airmen who are on state active duty to support COVID-19 response efforts must have their temperature taken before reporting for work to slow the spread of COVID-19 and protect the health of Iowa National Guard members.

NJ Guard helps state, local officials with COVID-19 response
March 26, 2020 — JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. – More than 150 New Jersey National Guard Soldiers and Airmen... MORE

New Jersey Air National Guard medics with the 108th Wing process specimens at a COVID-19 testing site at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, N.J., March 23, 2020. The site, established with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, is staffed by the New Jersey Department of Health, the New Jersey State Police and the New Jersey National Guard.

Ohio National Guard helping food banks across state
March 26, 2020 — COLUMBUS, Ohio – Hundreds of members of the Ohio National Guard are helping 12 food banks across the... MORE

Spc. Patrick Valentine, assigned to the Ohio National Guard’s HHC 1-148th Infantry Regiment – 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, stocks shelves at the Toledo Northwestern Ohio Food Bank, March 25, 2020. Nearly 400 Ohio National Guard members were activated to provide humanitarian missions in support of COVID-19 relief efforts.

Dual-status commanders appointed
March 26, 2020 — ARLINGTON, Va. – Dual-status commanders have been appointed in eight states, with 10 more awaiting... MORE

Members of the New York Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry Regiment, hold up directional signs for drivers leaving the drive-through COVID-19 Mobile Testing Center located at the South Beach Behavioral Center in Staten Island, New York. New York is one of eight states where a dual-status commander has been appointed.

Michigan National Guard screens for COVID-19 at veterans' home
March 26, 2020 — GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Michigan National Guard is assisting the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans... MORE

Sgt. James See, 63rd Troop Command, Michigan Army National Guard, screens employees entering the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans, Grand Rapids, Mich., March 20, 2020. To mitigate the spread of the coronavirus, Guard members are checking the temperature of employees and screening for any symptoms of illness or travel outside the state.

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Video by Stephanie Beougher, Staff Sgt. Aven Santiago

Ohio National Guard wraps up COVID-19 hospital support mission

Ohio National Guard Public Affairs

May 11, 2022 | 1:40

The staffing support provided by members of the Ohio National Guard and State Defense Force was the helping hand that many hospitals and communities needed during the spike of COVID-19 cases around the state from December into early this year. More than 2,000 Soldiers and Airmen were activated by Gov. Mike DeWine during that timeframe to help relieve hospitals and health care facilities, which welcomed the assistance due to employee shortages and illnesses.