After a base-wide response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 122nd Fighter Wing, also known as the Blacksnakes, was able to safely bring back service members for a regularly scheduled drill, recently, to continue their state and federal mission of being always ready and always there.
"The command post's response was immediate," said Air Force Master Sgt. Anthony G. Vining, 122nd FW Command Post superintendent.
Our job is to be prepared for when our state and nation needs us, Vining added.
Airmen assigned to the 122nd FW overcame the challenges presented by the pandemic by utilizing innovative technology and teamwork.
"We did things like teleworking, keeping people at home, shift work and we had a questionnaire that we developed and pushed out via AtHoc," said Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Jason M. Ricketts, 122nd FW Public Health superintendent.
AtHoc is an interactive warning system that was purchased by the Air Force in 2019. It supplements the existing emergency mass notification system, Desktop Alert.
"Immediately, when we started the COVID-19 response, I saw that the AtHoc system could be used to keep our members informed of our response at the 122nd FW and allow them to keep us updated on their status," Vining said. "In cooperation with the medical group, we developed a system that we could track the health status of our members with weekly updates. Rather than relying on our members to call in if they are exhibiting symptoms, we ask them."
Using the emergency mass notification system, the command polled members for their health status. They analyzed their responses and quickly submitted them to the commander's support staff.
"It's a lot of data, given that we have over 1,000 members in the directory, which includes members, civilians, state employees, contractors and others on base," Vining said.
Base leadership had constant access to the most accurate and up-to-date data, which was crucial for decision making.
"It's kind of a long road to develop a workflow that helped guide the commanders and supervisors on what to do," Ricketts said.
Touch-free thermometers were also used to check airmen as they returned to base for training. Temperature screenings were an additional measure that helped identify members with potential COVID-19 symptoms.
We were able to purchase enough touch-free thermometers from the local economy to meet mission requirements, Ricketts continued.
The 122nd FW's use of teamwork, technology and forward thinking helped to overcome obstacles and created a safe environment for airmen to continue training.