Luke Air Force Base squadron sent to New York City to fight coronavirus
Apr 6, 2020, 4:25 AM | Updated: Apr 10, 2020, 8:27 am
President Donald Trump talks to a pilot in the cockpit of an F-35 aircraft during a Defense Capability Tour at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz.
PHOENIX — A squadron from Luke Air Force Base was deployed to New York City to help assist in coronavirus response efforts activated by President Donald Trump.
The 944th Aeromedical Staging Squadron was the latest among a package of 120 doctors, nurses and technicians from Air Force Reserve units to provide support to the hardest-hit region in the country.
Coordination for the deployment was supervised by Air Force Reserve Command surgeon general Teresa Bisnett and 944th Fighter Wing Commander Colonel James Greenwald.
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“We did not want to pull a doc or nurse out of their community clinical practice or hospital if already ensconced in coronavirus operations,” Bisnett said.
All squadron members were evaluated and screened before deployment under Department of Defense and Centers for Disease Control guidance.
“My priority for the wing remains to take care of our Airmen and their families. We’ll keep doing that so these members can go help take care of Americans in need,” Greenwald said.
“We will stay connected with them and we will continue to help care for their families while they are deployed.”
