1 00:00:00,880 --> 00:00:03,200 - Just a reminder for those of you on the phone 2 00:00:03,200 --> 00:00:06,977 to either me or unmute your phones as appropriate. 3 00:00:06,977 --> 00:00:11,004 Also, we'll take one question and one follow up. 4 00:00:11,004 --> 00:00:15,760 Please wait until I call on you to ask your question. 5 00:00:15,760 --> 00:00:19,922 And without any longer, I just want to introduce 6 00:00:19,922 --> 00:00:24,714 Air mobility Deputy Commander Lieutenant General John Thomas 7 00:00:24,714 --> 00:00:28,580 who's here to discuss Air Mobility Command support 8 00:00:28,580 --> 00:00:32,460 to the whole of government response to COVID-19. 9 00:00:32,460 --> 00:00:35,560 So with that, let me turn it over to Lida 10 00:00:35,560 --> 00:00:37,923 and let her ask the first question. 11 00:00:38,900 --> 00:00:40,430 - [Dammien] Hey, Anne. 12 00:00:40,430 --> 00:00:42,400 This is Colonel Picot before we begin. 13 00:00:42,400 --> 00:00:44,070 General Thomas had some opening remarks 14 00:00:44,070 --> 00:00:46,220 he wanted to provide to everyone. 15 00:00:46,220 --> 00:00:47,560 - Thanks, Damien. 16 00:00:47,560 --> 00:00:49,120 - [Damien] You bet. 17 00:00:49,120 --> 00:00:50,100 - [General Thomas] OK. Thanks, Damien. 18 00:00:50,100 --> 00:00:51,690 Thanks and good morning to you all 19 00:00:51,690 --> 00:00:53,640 out there in the Pentagon or elsewhere. 20 00:00:55,402 --> 00:00:58,980 It's nice to have an opportunity to talk with you 21 00:00:58,980 --> 00:01:01,360 about what the Air Mobility Command is doing 22 00:01:01,360 --> 00:01:04,460 to support the nation, both here in the United States 23 00:01:04,460 --> 00:01:07,503 proper as well as across the globe. 24 00:01:08,940 --> 00:01:09,773 So what we're doing 25 00:01:09,773 --> 00:01:12,508 in support of the nation's COVID-19 responses 26 00:01:12,508 --> 00:01:14,690 we continue to operate consistent 27 00:01:14,690 --> 00:01:17,250 with the sector's priorities for the joint force 28 00:01:17,250 --> 00:01:19,437 which is protecting the health of the force. 29 00:01:19,437 --> 00:01:23,240 That's a key enabler for the next priority 30 00:01:23,240 --> 00:01:26,159 which is maintaining our readiness to defend the nation 31 00:01:26,159 --> 00:01:28,224 in all manner in order to for that deter 32 00:01:28,224 --> 00:01:31,370 those which might seek to take advantage 33 00:01:31,370 --> 00:01:32,570 in this uncertain time 34 00:01:33,800 --> 00:01:35,030 As we meet those priorities, 35 00:01:35,030 --> 00:01:37,234 we're also supporting the U.S. whole government effort 36 00:01:37,234 --> 00:01:40,743 to respond to and counter COVID-19. 37 00:01:41,670 --> 00:01:45,640 AMC is pitching in to help federal state 38 00:01:45,640 --> 00:01:48,100 and local agencies whenever possible. 39 00:01:48,100 --> 00:01:50,840 Here are some examples of what we've been up to 40 00:01:50,840 --> 00:01:52,950 in the preceding weeks. 41 00:01:52,950 --> 00:01:55,940 To protect the force. Local commanders are empowered 42 00:01:55,940 --> 00:01:58,493 to take the measures needed to stay ahead of the threat 43 00:01:58,493 --> 00:02:02,070 and are encouraging airmen to follow CDC best practices 44 00:02:02,070 --> 00:02:03,670 for staying healthy. 45 00:02:03,670 --> 00:02:05,680 We've implemented staggered shifts 46 00:02:05,680 --> 00:02:08,010 exercised tele-work options 47 00:02:08,010 --> 00:02:10,490 and employed health protection condition Charlie measures 48 00:02:10,490 --> 00:02:14,440 at all our installations to promote physical distancing 49 00:02:14,440 --> 00:02:17,260 spread the virus 50 00:02:17,260 --> 00:02:19,130 and make sure that we're keeping this limited 51 00:02:19,130 --> 00:02:20,950 as much as possible. 52 00:02:20,950 --> 00:02:23,517 AMC continues to execute operational missions 53 00:02:23,517 --> 00:02:27,210 across the globe as well as training activities. 54 00:02:27,210 --> 00:02:29,730 We're doing that to sustain the readiness of the joint force 55 00:02:29,730 --> 00:02:31,660 to execute their missions. 56 00:02:31,660 --> 00:02:34,480 As we do so, we're using processes and procedures 57 00:02:34,480 --> 00:02:37,550 to preserve the nation's operational capability 58 00:02:37,550 --> 00:02:40,230 to meet global mobility requirements. 59 00:02:40,230 --> 00:02:42,250 So we're doing things like medical screening 60 00:02:42,250 --> 00:02:44,480 temperature checks and other measures 61 00:02:44,480 --> 00:02:45,780 for our crew and passengers 62 00:02:45,780 --> 00:02:48,205 transiting areas of COVID-19 risk 63 00:02:48,205 --> 00:02:50,580 As necessary for certain locations 64 00:02:50,580 --> 00:02:53,540 we're also taking measures to ensure that AMC forces 65 00:02:53,540 --> 00:02:56,640 that are moving globally from one location to another 66 00:02:56,640 --> 00:02:59,080 do not pose undue risk for the host units 67 00:02:59,080 --> 00:03:00,973 as we transit those locations. 68 00:03:01,900 --> 00:03:04,610 In terms of support to the whole U.S. government response 69 00:03:04,610 --> 00:03:07,690 to COVID-19 AMC routinely responds 70 00:03:07,690 --> 00:03:09,350 their emergent airlift requirements 71 00:03:09,350 --> 00:03:11,490 and in coordination with our energy agency 72 00:03:11,490 --> 00:03:13,000 and international partners, 73 00:03:13,000 --> 00:03:15,040 AMC has been flying COVID-19, testing swabs 74 00:03:15,040 --> 00:03:19,170 from Italy to Memphis for nationwide distribution. 75 00:03:19,170 --> 00:03:21,940 I know you've been tracking those missions. 76 00:03:21,940 --> 00:03:24,530 Since March 16th, C-17 have delivered 77 00:03:24,530 --> 00:03:26,570 three and a half million swabs 78 00:03:26,570 --> 00:03:29,130 on seven missions with the 7th mission 79 00:03:29,130 --> 00:03:31,780 arriving last night in Memphis, Tennessee. 80 00:03:31,780 --> 00:03:34,590 Mission number eight is in execution and arrives today 81 00:03:34,590 --> 00:03:36,400 with another half million swabs. 82 00:03:36,400 --> 00:03:37,960 And then we've got a ninth mission 83 00:03:37,960 --> 00:03:39,813 that's scheduled to arrive next week. 84 00:03:41,400 --> 00:03:43,360 While contracted commercial airlift 85 00:03:43,360 --> 00:03:46,120 remains the primary means of returning Americans home 86 00:03:46,120 --> 00:03:47,936 from overseas locations. 87 00:03:47,936 --> 00:03:50,190 AMC in support of U.S. Transcom 88 00:03:50,190 --> 00:03:53,059 continues its support to the Department of State-led efforts 89 00:03:53,059 --> 00:03:55,990 to bring these Americans home. 90 00:03:55,990 --> 00:03:58,350 While most returning citizens are being transported 91 00:03:58,350 --> 00:04:00,901 on contract commercial passenger carriers. 92 00:04:00,901 --> 00:04:02,050 Most recently, 93 00:04:02,050 --> 00:04:03,920 and with the approval from the Secretary of Defense 94 00:04:03,920 --> 00:04:07,660 AMC transported 86 Americans back to the United States 95 00:04:07,660 --> 00:04:09,970 from Colombia and Panama. 96 00:04:09,970 --> 00:04:12,410 These recent missions bring the total number of Americans 97 00:04:12,410 --> 00:04:16,044 returned by AMC great tail organic airlift missions 98 00:04:16,044 --> 00:04:19,453 to more than 350 since March 19th. 99 00:04:20,560 --> 00:04:24,342 Finally, to help state and local authorities combat COVID-19 100 00:04:24,342 --> 00:04:27,910 AMC C-130's flew equipment personnel to establish 101 00:04:27,910 --> 00:04:31,050 to help establish army field hospitals in New York 102 00:04:31,050 --> 00:04:32,820 and Washington state that will provide 103 00:04:32,820 --> 00:04:35,820 additional medical capacity in those areas. 104 00:04:35,820 --> 00:04:38,130 We've got air mobility liaison officers 105 00:04:38,130 --> 00:04:40,620 that are helping to coordinate those movements 106 00:04:40,620 --> 00:04:43,162 as well as commercial air movements totaling nine missions 107 00:04:43,162 --> 00:04:45,560 transporting seven point eight tons of cargo 108 00:04:45,560 --> 00:04:48,380 and hundreds of personnel to those locations. 109 00:04:48,380 --> 00:04:52,500 In addition, several of our bases are have been identified 110 00:04:52,500 --> 00:04:55,870 for potential use as incident support bases for FEMA. 111 00:04:55,870 --> 00:04:57,230 And two of our installations 112 00:04:57,230 --> 00:04:59,430 are serving as base support installations 113 00:04:59,430 --> 00:05:01,860 which provide integrated support resources 114 00:05:01,860 --> 00:05:05,893 for our own internal D.O.D support to civil authorities. 115 00:05:07,720 --> 00:05:09,569 Furthermore, we put in place capabilities 116 00:05:09,569 --> 00:05:13,150 to perform patient movement or as many of you know it as 117 00:05:13,150 --> 00:05:16,950 air medical evacuation of COVID positive patients 118 00:05:16,950 --> 00:05:18,590 while treatment of patients in place 119 00:05:18,590 --> 00:05:20,880 is always the preferred option 120 00:05:20,880 --> 00:05:23,570 We anticipate there will likely be circumstances 121 00:05:23,570 --> 00:05:25,990 in which such care will not be available 122 00:05:25,990 --> 00:05:28,270 and the best option will be to transport the patient 123 00:05:28,270 --> 00:05:30,320 to alternative facilities. 124 00:05:30,320 --> 00:05:33,140 Air medical evacuation is one of AMC's core missions 125 00:05:33,140 --> 00:05:36,920 and as you know, we've done much over the past two decades. 126 00:05:36,920 --> 00:05:39,440 But the combination of transporting large volumes 127 00:05:39,440 --> 00:05:42,380 of patients with a highly infectious disease 128 00:05:42,380 --> 00:05:43,480 the transmission of which 129 00:05:43,480 --> 00:05:46,160 we still don't completely understand 130 00:05:46,160 --> 00:05:47,660 on a pressurized aircraft 131 00:05:47,660 --> 00:05:50,520 within which the air constantly circulates 132 00:05:50,520 --> 00:05:53,130 and potentially making these movements [Beep] 133 00:05:53,130 --> 00:05:54,980 or locations over air or cardinal distance. 134 00:05:54,980 --> 00:05:57,814 All while protecting the flight and medical crew 135 00:05:57,814 --> 00:06:00,550 from infection so that they remain available 136 00:06:00,550 --> 00:06:03,890 for future missions is a challenging task 137 00:06:03,890 --> 00:06:06,440 even for the Air Mobility Command. 138 00:06:06,440 --> 00:06:08,810 At present, we have an interim COVID-patient movement 139 00:06:08,810 --> 00:06:12,190 capability already on alert in a couple of locations 140 00:06:12,190 --> 00:06:13,910 across the globe. 141 00:06:13,910 --> 00:06:16,760 The Transport Isolation System is an infectious disease 142 00:06:16,760 --> 00:06:21,060 containment unit developed during the Ebola outbreak of 2014 143 00:06:21,060 --> 00:06:24,240 that allows a limited number of infected patients to receive 144 00:06:24,240 --> 00:06:26,160 medical care in flight. 145 00:06:26,160 --> 00:06:29,130 Bio-containment units such as the transport isolation system 146 00:06:29,130 --> 00:06:30,080 provide the best means 147 00:06:30,080 --> 00:06:32,186 to transport a COVID-positive patient. 148 00:06:32,186 --> 00:06:34,410 However, in the event of increased volume 149 00:06:34,410 --> 00:06:36,480 of patient flow is required 150 00:06:36,480 --> 00:06:38,261 AMC will be prepared to increase throughput 151 00:06:38,261 --> 00:06:40,963 using other means as necessary. 152 00:06:41,970 --> 00:06:44,510 So there's a number of other efforts we can discuss 153 00:06:44,510 --> 00:06:46,943 as we get into the Q&A, I look forward to that. 154 00:06:46,943 --> 00:06:48,550 But suffice it to say, 155 00:06:48,550 --> 00:06:50,350 our national response to COVID-19 156 00:06:50,350 --> 00:06:53,270 is an all hands on deck effort and Air Mobility Command 157 00:06:53,270 --> 00:06:55,810 is doing its part to support this fight. 158 00:06:55,810 --> 00:06:56,870 Through our active reserve 159 00:06:56,870 --> 00:06:58,180 and Air National Guard components. 160 00:06:58,180 --> 00:07:00,500 We stand ready to do everything possible 161 00:07:00,500 --> 00:07:02,510 to mitigate the effects of the outbreak 162 00:07:02,510 --> 00:07:06,730 and ensure we continue to execute rapid global mobility. 163 00:07:06,730 --> 00:07:08,730 So that's that's the end of my prepared remarks 164 00:07:08,730 --> 00:07:10,420 Anne, over to you. 165 00:07:10,420 --> 00:07:12,013 - Okay. Leah, first question. 166 00:07:12,950 --> 00:07:15,140 - [Leah] Hi. Thank you, General. 167 00:07:15,140 --> 00:07:19,630 Just a couple quick follow up on some of your comments. 168 00:07:19,630 --> 00:07:22,950 Number one, have you gotten any specific requests 169 00:07:22,950 --> 00:07:24,860 for the containment unit? 170 00:07:24,860 --> 00:07:28,920 Do you foresee any sort of imminent requests for that? 171 00:07:28,920 --> 00:07:31,723 And then secondly, on your force. 172 00:07:32,740 --> 00:07:35,570 Are you quarantining the pilots 173 00:07:35,570 --> 00:07:38,670 in order to ensure that they are able to fly? 174 00:07:38,670 --> 00:07:42,030 And have you had any outbreak among any of the pilots 175 00:07:42,030 --> 00:07:47,030 and air crew that are affecting any of your efforts 176 00:07:47,060 --> 00:07:48,700 to move things? 177 00:07:48,700 --> 00:07:51,060 - [General Thomas] OK, great, so I'll answer the first one 178 00:07:51,060 --> 00:07:54,828 so specific requests for movement of patient 179 00:07:54,828 --> 00:07:59,520 in a transport isolation system not received yet 180 00:07:59,520 --> 00:08:03,495 when we have those, we will execute those missions as a task 181 00:08:03,495 --> 00:08:06,380 But today we have not executed one of those movements 182 00:08:06,380 --> 00:08:09,220 inside of transport isolation system. 183 00:08:09,220 --> 00:08:11,213 Your second question about the force? 184 00:08:12,050 --> 00:08:14,260 I think it's really important for everybody 185 00:08:14,260 --> 00:08:16,790 to understand how valuable, by the way 186 00:08:16,790 --> 00:08:18,509 the secretary of defense's guidance 187 00:08:18,509 --> 00:08:21,202 on allowing local commanders to make decisions 188 00:08:21,202 --> 00:08:24,220 on how to best protect the force. 189 00:08:24,220 --> 00:08:27,203 We have a wide variety of missions across the department. 190 00:08:28,310 --> 00:08:29,500 Many of them that are influenced 191 00:08:29,500 --> 00:08:31,840 by local conditions and situations. 192 00:08:31,840 --> 00:08:34,600 And so what I can tell you is that each of our installation 193 00:08:34,600 --> 00:08:37,630 and when commanders are taking the actions that they need 194 00:08:37,630 --> 00:08:40,203 to protect the parts of their force 195 00:08:40,203 --> 00:08:44,030 that are most critical to sustaining the readiness 196 00:08:44,030 --> 00:08:46,350 and the missions that we've got to perform. 197 00:08:46,350 --> 00:08:49,950 And those types of actions can vary between 198 00:08:49,950 --> 00:08:52,770 limiting the movement of certain elements of the force. 199 00:08:52,770 --> 00:08:54,430 Some of the examples that I gave you before 200 00:08:54,430 --> 00:08:57,650 about kind of an A shift, B shift environment. 201 00:08:57,650 --> 00:08:58,720 Those are the kind of things 202 00:08:58,720 --> 00:09:00,990 that if we were to have something to manifest 203 00:09:00,990 --> 00:09:03,740 on the installation that would limit the effect 204 00:09:03,740 --> 00:09:05,590 that it would have on the ability of the force 205 00:09:05,590 --> 00:09:07,303 to execute our mission, over. 206 00:09:09,403 --> 00:09:11,470 - [Leah] And whether or not you've had any outbreaks 207 00:09:11,470 --> 00:09:12,483 among your crews? 208 00:09:13,710 --> 00:09:17,630 - [General Thomas] So we have had manifestations 209 00:09:17,630 --> 00:09:21,180 of COVID-19 on our military installations. 210 00:09:21,180 --> 00:09:24,180 The extent of it, I don't think I want 211 00:09:24,180 --> 00:09:27,250 to get into significant amount on of detail on. 212 00:09:27,250 --> 00:09:30,170 It is something that we have to be cognizant 213 00:09:30,170 --> 00:09:32,660 and constantly watching on. 214 00:09:32,660 --> 00:09:34,210 But what I can tell you is that 215 00:09:34,210 --> 00:09:37,972 there is no manifestation of COVID-19 on our installations 216 00:09:37,972 --> 00:09:40,490 that would suggest that we'll have any difficulty 217 00:09:40,490 --> 00:09:42,340 executing our missions at this point. 218 00:09:43,192 --> 00:09:44,025 - Brian 219 00:09:44,025 --> 00:09:45,620 - All right General. Thank you for doing this. 220 00:09:45,620 --> 00:09:47,970 You mentioned air medical evacuations 221 00:09:47,970 --> 00:09:50,090 but I don't, apologies. 222 00:09:50,090 --> 00:09:54,920 Have you actually conducted any air medical evacuations 223 00:09:54,920 --> 00:09:57,710 due to the coronavirus pandemic? 224 00:09:57,710 --> 00:09:59,233 And I had one follow up. 225 00:10:00,090 --> 00:10:01,760 - [General Thomas] Yeah. So the answer is no. 226 00:10:01,760 --> 00:10:04,004 We have not conducted any evacuations 227 00:10:04,004 --> 00:10:07,780 of a COVID-19 infected patient to date. 228 00:10:07,780 --> 00:10:12,030 We are prepared to do it today in small numbers. 229 00:10:12,030 --> 00:10:15,180 Should the requirement manifest itself. 230 00:10:15,180 --> 00:10:16,590 - Thank you. And then you mentioned 231 00:10:16,590 --> 00:10:19,773 the swab test kit swab flights. 232 00:10:19,773 --> 00:10:23,990 Have you flown any other testing equipment 233 00:10:23,990 --> 00:10:25,860 or medical equipment like ventilators? 234 00:10:25,860 --> 00:10:30,400 Have you transported any of that type of equipment 235 00:10:30,400 --> 00:10:33,930 in response to the Corona virus spread 236 00:10:33,930 --> 00:10:36,628 or is it just the testing kits? 237 00:10:36,628 --> 00:10:38,300 - [General Thomas] So not to my knowledge 238 00:10:38,300 --> 00:10:42,070 have we moved anything besides the testing swabs. 239 00:10:42,070 --> 00:10:44,570 What I can tell you is that we are postured 240 00:10:45,683 --> 00:10:48,860 to be able to support requirements that come from FEMA 241 00:10:48,860 --> 00:10:52,670 through the Department of Defense and Transcom to execute. 242 00:10:52,670 --> 00:10:54,770 So we're in that posture, but we have not. 243 00:10:56,410 --> 00:10:57,260 - Valerie Encina. 244 00:10:58,480 --> 00:10:59,313 - [General Thomas] Let me just add 245 00:10:59,313 --> 00:11:01,330 my previous comments there field hospital equipment, 246 00:11:01,330 --> 00:11:02,490 those kind of things. 247 00:11:02,490 --> 00:11:06,823 I think you copy that. But everything else is not yet. 248 00:11:10,560 --> 00:11:11,393 - Valerie? 249 00:11:15,946 --> 00:11:17,730 - [Valerie] All right. Can you hear me? 250 00:11:17,730 --> 00:11:20,480 - [General Thomas] That's a loud and clear, Valerie. 251 00:11:20,480 --> 00:11:22,439 - [Valerie] Awesome. Thank you for doing this. 252 00:11:22,439 --> 00:11:25,230 So this is sort of a basic question 253 00:11:25,230 --> 00:11:27,780 that might even be a little bit of a dumb question. 254 00:11:27,780 --> 00:11:31,850 But on the COVID-19 test swab pickup, 255 00:11:31,850 --> 00:11:35,140 can you talk a little bit about why AMC airlift 256 00:11:35,140 --> 00:11:37,420 was kind of deemed necessary 257 00:11:37,420 --> 00:11:39,346 to bring those swabs to the U.S.? 258 00:11:39,346 --> 00:11:42,940 Why not rely on commercial air delivery? 259 00:11:42,940 --> 00:11:44,160 Is there some sort of benefit 260 00:11:44,160 --> 00:11:47,003 as far as the cost to taxpayers? 261 00:11:48,820 --> 00:11:49,730 - [General Thomas] Yeah. So, Valerie 262 00:11:49,730 --> 00:11:51,620 I can tell you at the beginning, 263 00:11:51,620 --> 00:11:53,420 it was certainly a matter of the 264 00:11:55,245 --> 00:11:58,600 urgency required to execute the mission. 265 00:11:58,600 --> 00:12:02,436 our availability to execute that mission and whether 266 00:12:02,436 --> 00:12:05,620 those continue to be the reasons why we're doing it. 267 00:12:05,620 --> 00:12:07,290 Be a great tail airlift. 268 00:12:07,290 --> 00:12:09,993 I can't tell you the exact nature as to why. 269 00:12:11,440 --> 00:12:12,692 We're clearly getting the job done 270 00:12:12,692 --> 00:12:15,310 and we're proud to do it for the nation. 271 00:12:15,310 --> 00:12:18,870 And so we'll continue to fly those missions 272 00:12:18,870 --> 00:12:20,603 as long as we're tasked, over. 273 00:12:22,675 --> 00:12:25,209 - [Valerie] Cool. And just one follow up. 274 00:12:25,209 --> 00:12:27,130 Can you talk a little bit about 275 00:12:27,130 --> 00:12:31,040 whether there's any stress on the supply side? 276 00:12:31,040 --> 00:12:34,993 As far as getting what crews need for maintenance? 277 00:12:37,040 --> 00:12:38,430 - [General Thomas] OK. The last part 278 00:12:38,430 --> 00:12:41,160 of your transmission there was garbled, Valerie. 279 00:12:41,160 --> 00:12:43,560 Could you repeat the last part of your question? 280 00:12:44,730 --> 00:12:46,490 - [Valerie] Sorry. I was wondering 281 00:12:46,490 --> 00:12:49,030 if there's been any stress on the supply side 282 00:12:49,030 --> 00:12:51,678 as far as getting the parts and components 283 00:12:51,678 --> 00:12:55,650 that is needed to maintain AMC planes, thanks. 284 00:12:55,650 --> 00:12:57,426 - [General Thomas] Okay. Yeah. So basically 285 00:12:57,426 --> 00:12:59,760 are we able to continue to sustain 286 00:12:59,760 --> 00:13:02,280 the readiness of our aircraft and other systems? 287 00:13:02,280 --> 00:13:04,165 And the answer to the question right now is 288 00:13:04,165 --> 00:13:06,730 we're not seeing major limitations 289 00:13:06,730 --> 00:13:10,840 on our ability to sustain our aircraft. 290 00:13:10,840 --> 00:13:14,860 I do think we need to be clear eyed about the fact that 291 00:13:14,860 --> 00:13:18,720 the workforces that support our aircraft and that 292 00:13:18,720 --> 00:13:21,780 from cradle to grave, so to speak 293 00:13:21,780 --> 00:13:24,210 they're composed of Americans of all ages 294 00:13:24,210 --> 00:13:26,580 and spread across the country. 295 00:13:26,580 --> 00:13:29,330 And so depending on how this all plays out 296 00:13:29,330 --> 00:13:32,110 there may be some impacts that manifest themselves. 297 00:13:32,110 --> 00:13:35,230 But right now, we haven't seen major impacts 298 00:13:35,230 --> 00:13:37,593 to the availability of aircraft, over. 299 00:13:40,400 --> 00:13:41,817 - Thanks, Brian Eversting. 300 00:13:44,020 --> 00:13:46,690 - [Brian] Yes. Thanks for doing this. Can you hear me OK? 301 00:13:46,690 --> 00:13:49,200 - [General Thomas] I got you loud and clear Brian. 302 00:13:49,200 --> 00:13:52,038 - [Brian] Excellent. A couple of days ago (mumbles) 303 00:13:52,038 --> 00:13:54,720 a deadline for Transcom to report back 304 00:13:54,720 --> 00:13:56,800 on what they deemed as mission essential. 305 00:13:56,800 --> 00:14:00,130 Can you talk about AMC's part of that 306 00:14:00,130 --> 00:14:02,010 what you deemed as mission essential 307 00:14:02,010 --> 00:14:03,933 and how that discussion played out? 308 00:14:05,260 --> 00:14:06,180 - [General Thomas] Yeah, Brian, 309 00:14:06,180 --> 00:14:07,610 I can't give you all the details. 310 00:14:07,610 --> 00:14:11,040 You can probably figure out why I wouldn't say 311 00:14:11,040 --> 00:14:13,620 whatever the item on the list is for Mission Essential. 312 00:14:13,620 --> 00:14:17,160 But I would think that there's some pretty clear things 313 00:14:17,160 --> 00:14:20,050 that are really important to the nation and our role in it 314 00:14:20,050 --> 00:14:23,480 in the defense of America and the United States. 315 00:14:23,480 --> 00:14:24,313 It's quite obvious that 316 00:14:24,313 --> 00:14:26,120 we have to maintain a strategic deterrent. 317 00:14:26,120 --> 00:14:27,830 There is a critical mission there 318 00:14:27,830 --> 00:14:31,340 that we have to continue to contribute our part to it. 319 00:14:31,340 --> 00:14:34,285 And Air Mobility Command has a big important part of it 320 00:14:34,285 --> 00:14:36,970 with our tanker force. 321 00:14:36,970 --> 00:14:38,670 Clearly, we have to also maintain 322 00:14:38,670 --> 00:14:41,080 the sovereign skies over America. 323 00:14:41,080 --> 00:14:44,070 And so there is a mission that is performed by NORAD. 324 00:14:44,070 --> 00:14:47,030 And that certainly has support 325 00:14:47,030 --> 00:14:49,320 that comes from the Air Mobility Command. 326 00:14:49,320 --> 00:14:51,420 And then all the things that we've been talking about 327 00:14:51,420 --> 00:14:54,040 whether it's air medical evacuation, for example 328 00:14:54,040 --> 00:14:58,130 or whether it's global airlift or airlift possibly even here 329 00:14:58,130 --> 00:14:59,900 within the continental United States. 330 00:14:59,900 --> 00:15:02,450 the movement of the field hospitals. 331 00:15:02,450 --> 00:15:04,050 Those would be examples of things 332 00:15:04,050 --> 00:15:06,750 where we've made very clear to our commanders 333 00:15:06,750 --> 00:15:09,180 that these are capabilities and capacity 334 00:15:09,180 --> 00:15:10,880 that you have to be able to maintain 335 00:15:10,880 --> 00:15:11,713 and you need to take 336 00:15:11,713 --> 00:15:12,671 the appropriate measures at the local level 337 00:15:12,671 --> 00:15:17,671 to ensure that force continues to be healthy and ready 338 00:15:18,380 --> 00:15:19,213 over. 339 00:15:24,020 --> 00:15:25,220 - Any follow ups, Brian? 340 00:15:27,350 --> 00:15:29,753 - [General Thomas] Yeah, I'm sorry, Anne. You were talking. 341 00:15:30,690 --> 00:15:32,500 I got some crosstalk there. 342 00:15:32,500 --> 00:15:35,453 - I just asked Brian if he had a follow up. 343 00:15:37,290 --> 00:15:38,470 - [Brian] Yeah, my follow up was 344 00:15:38,470 --> 00:15:42,400 if you could expand on what is deemed not essential 345 00:15:42,400 --> 00:15:44,240 as part of that review. 346 00:15:44,240 --> 00:15:46,370 - [General Thomas] Yeah. So I guess, Brian 347 00:15:46,370 --> 00:15:48,890 examples that you probably are already aware of 348 00:15:48,890 --> 00:15:51,160 is there are certain functions on our installations 349 00:15:51,160 --> 00:15:53,080 that were no longer performing. 350 00:15:53,080 --> 00:15:56,187 We're doing that in order to protect the force 351 00:15:56,187 --> 00:15:58,360 as well as the dependents and others 352 00:15:58,360 --> 00:15:59,570 that are on the installation. 353 00:15:59,570 --> 00:16:03,330 And so there's a whole host of, for example, MWY activities 354 00:16:03,330 --> 00:16:05,270 that we're not able to do right now. 355 00:16:05,270 --> 00:16:08,990 There's a whole host of other type of activities 356 00:16:08,990 --> 00:16:11,590 that previously would have been open that are now closed. 357 00:16:11,590 --> 00:16:13,150 So I think those are clear examples 358 00:16:13,150 --> 00:16:16,440 of where we've set prioritization and it's consistent 359 00:16:16,440 --> 00:16:19,863 with the secretary of defense's guidance over. 360 00:16:21,054 --> 00:16:22,183 - Tara Cope. 361 00:16:28,470 --> 00:16:31,200 - [Tara] Hi, thanks for doing this. 362 00:16:31,200 --> 00:16:33,710 I wanted to ask you more about the maintainers. 363 00:16:33,710 --> 00:16:37,270 This is another demand upon the mental strain on our forces 364 00:16:38,160 --> 00:16:38,993 For the Air Force, 365 00:16:38,993 --> 00:16:41,446 they've seen a lot of pressure on our maintainers. 366 00:16:41,446 --> 00:16:43,480 Let's say A-B rotation. 367 00:16:43,480 --> 00:16:45,380 I guess that's the twelve hour shifts. 368 00:16:46,251 --> 00:16:48,063 And 12 in, 12 out. 369 00:16:49,100 --> 00:16:53,430 What are you doing to be able to support your maintainers, 370 00:16:53,430 --> 00:16:54,990 particularly, 371 00:16:54,990 --> 00:16:58,820 at most are those putting things on base 372 00:16:58,820 --> 00:17:01,040 such as (mumbles) et cetera closed. 373 00:17:01,040 --> 00:17:02,570 How are you making sure that 374 00:17:02,570 --> 00:17:05,313 this doesn't further burn out your maintenance group? 375 00:17:07,854 --> 00:17:10,554 - [General Thomas] OK, thanks, Tara, for the question. 376 00:17:12,090 --> 00:17:15,730 I think the Air Force has worked mightily 377 00:17:15,730 --> 00:17:20,140 over the past few years to get our maintenance workforce 378 00:17:20,140 --> 00:17:21,490 back to a condition of health. 379 00:17:21,490 --> 00:17:24,150 I know that you all have reported on the report 380 00:17:25,160 --> 00:17:28,930 about 4000 maintenance personnel into the workforce. 381 00:17:28,930 --> 00:17:30,760 And we've been really proud of being able to do that 382 00:17:30,760 --> 00:17:33,159 and getting those new maintainers trained up and all that. 383 00:17:33,159 --> 00:17:35,189 So I'd say that only because 384 00:17:35,189 --> 00:17:37,410 I don't think we have a starting condition 385 00:17:37,410 --> 00:17:39,580 going into this situation where we... 386 00:17:41,310 --> 00:17:43,110 similar to where we were four or five years ago. 387 00:17:43,110 --> 00:17:44,680 I think we're reasonably healthy 388 00:17:44,680 --> 00:17:46,300 in the maintenance workforce. 389 00:17:46,300 --> 00:17:49,810 Now to the specifics of what you identified 390 00:17:49,810 --> 00:17:51,080 there's A shift, B shift. 391 00:17:51,080 --> 00:17:52,680 Yeah, they absolutely have an impact 392 00:17:52,680 --> 00:17:55,640 in the sense that we've got to reduce the demand 393 00:17:55,640 --> 00:17:56,980 on that maintainer because 394 00:17:56,980 --> 00:17:59,250 they're less of them on the flight line at any given time. 395 00:17:59,250 --> 00:18:02,830 So we've adjusted our flight schedules 396 00:18:02,830 --> 00:18:04,530 so that we are matching those 397 00:18:04,530 --> 00:18:07,810 to the aircraft generation capability or capacity 398 00:18:07,810 --> 00:18:09,440 that we have on the flight line. 399 00:18:09,440 --> 00:18:11,590 And so that's the way that we're trying 400 00:18:11,590 --> 00:18:12,570 to maintain the balance. 401 00:18:12,570 --> 00:18:16,130 We know that this is a circumstance 402 00:18:16,130 --> 00:18:18,100 that's measured in months, not weeks. 403 00:18:18,100 --> 00:18:19,630 This is a month 404 00:18:21,000 --> 00:18:23,410 multiple months type effort 405 00:18:23,410 --> 00:18:24,830 that we're involved in here. 406 00:18:24,830 --> 00:18:27,590 And so our commanders are making decisions 407 00:18:27,590 --> 00:18:30,510 and setting up schedules to sustain the force 408 00:18:30,510 --> 00:18:32,743 through that kind of time period, over. 409 00:18:35,080 --> 00:18:37,410 - [Tara] And just as a follow up and you say 410 00:18:37,410 --> 00:18:41,240 a reduced demand, it seems like it's actually the opposite. 411 00:18:41,240 --> 00:18:43,870 That there's an uptake in demand for flights 412 00:18:43,870 --> 00:18:45,340 such as getting more swabs 413 00:18:45,340 --> 00:18:48,530 even when you're doing your normal operation. 414 00:18:48,530 --> 00:18:50,300 Isn't that the case? 415 00:18:50,300 --> 00:18:52,050 - [General Thomas] Yeah. But realize, Tara 416 00:18:52,050 --> 00:18:56,229 that the department and the Air Force have taken actions 417 00:18:56,229 --> 00:18:58,938 to reduce some of the demand on the force right now. 418 00:18:58,938 --> 00:19:01,770 So you've seen guidance come out of the secretary 419 00:19:01,770 --> 00:19:04,390 about limitations on some travel movement 420 00:19:04,390 --> 00:19:07,550 limitations on other things, both to protect the force 421 00:19:07,550 --> 00:19:10,040 but it also actually reduces some of the demands. 422 00:19:10,040 --> 00:19:13,990 So exercises, for example, large overseas exercises. 423 00:19:13,990 --> 00:19:17,170 You've all reported on the fact that many of those 424 00:19:17,170 --> 00:19:19,010 have been deferred or postponed. 425 00:19:19,010 --> 00:19:22,120 So that reduces the operational demand signal on us 426 00:19:26,347 --> 00:19:30,520 The volume of COVID-19 response related missions. 427 00:19:31,600 --> 00:19:35,470 That is a variable that we still have to keep our eye on. 428 00:19:35,470 --> 00:19:39,290 Right now, we have not seen any signals up to this point 429 00:19:39,290 --> 00:19:44,290 that we're overtaxing the capacity of the force, over. 430 00:19:47,680 --> 00:19:49,200 - [Tara] Okay, thank you. 431 00:19:49,200 --> 00:19:51,080 - Tony Capacio. 432 00:19:51,080 --> 00:19:53,190 - [Tony] Hi, sir. Can you hear me? 433 00:19:53,190 --> 00:19:54,547 - [General Thomas] Yeah. Tony, I got you loud and clear. 434 00:19:54,547 --> 00:19:55,380 Good morning. 435 00:19:55,380 --> 00:19:56,640 - [Tony] Okay, a couple of quickies. 436 00:19:56,640 --> 00:19:59,600 How long do you expect the Aviano mission to continue? 437 00:19:59,600 --> 00:20:02,130 Do you have formal taskings on this? 438 00:20:02,130 --> 00:20:05,350 And can you talk a little bit about Kopan's cooperation? 439 00:20:05,350 --> 00:20:08,530 I understand they're actually driving pallets of these swabs 440 00:20:08,530 --> 00:20:11,083 up to Aviano to be loaded. 441 00:20:12,560 --> 00:20:14,310 - [General Thomas] So, Tony, on your last one 442 00:20:14,310 --> 00:20:16,780 I can't give you anything additional on the behavior 443 00:20:16,780 --> 00:20:21,300 of the particular vendor in Italy that's providing the swabs 444 00:20:21,300 --> 00:20:22,740 if they're doing that kind of stuff. 445 00:20:22,740 --> 00:20:26,990 I think that's wonderful, they're being helpful. 446 00:20:26,990 --> 00:20:28,810 In terms of the missions that we're flying 447 00:20:28,810 --> 00:20:30,010 we're going to continue to fly them 448 00:20:30,010 --> 00:20:32,740 as long as Transcom tasks them to us. 449 00:20:32,740 --> 00:20:35,890 And then they obviously get their taskings as coordinated 450 00:20:35,890 --> 00:20:40,670 from the other government agencies involved in OSD. 451 00:20:40,670 --> 00:20:44,020 So the short answer to your question there, Tony. 452 00:20:44,020 --> 00:20:46,300 Number nine, we're going to execute if we get ten, eleven 453 00:20:46,300 --> 00:20:47,340 twelve, whatever it is 454 00:20:47,340 --> 00:20:49,470 we'll keep executing those missions, over. 455 00:20:49,470 --> 00:20:52,655 - [Tony] 3D printing. What's the potential there 456 00:20:52,655 --> 00:20:57,655 for expanding that effort at Travis to a national level 457 00:20:58,260 --> 00:21:00,300 have you touched base with FEMA on this? 458 00:21:00,300 --> 00:21:03,790 in terms of the potential of actually 3D printing 459 00:21:03,790 --> 00:21:05,763 N95 masks and face plates? 460 00:21:06,680 --> 00:21:07,513 - [General Thomas] So, Tony 461 00:21:07,513 --> 00:21:09,940 I think I would be way out of my lane to be able to say 462 00:21:09,940 --> 00:21:14,940 whether a locally 3D printed mask or anything else related 463 00:21:16,100 --> 00:21:20,370 to countering the risk of COVID-19 infection 464 00:21:20,370 --> 00:21:24,424 is gonna be effective or not. I think that's probably 465 00:21:24,424 --> 00:21:28,480 the joint Staff Sergeant, the experts at the CDC and others. 466 00:21:28,480 --> 00:21:30,190 They're the ones that can answer those questions 467 00:21:30,190 --> 00:21:32,150 about how the supply system 468 00:21:32,150 --> 00:21:33,630 and how things can be manufactured 469 00:21:33,630 --> 00:21:35,350 will be most effective, over. 470 00:21:35,350 --> 00:21:37,010 - [Tony] Okay. Because you're doing it at Travis 471 00:21:37,010 --> 00:21:40,009 And that's why I thought this was prototype effort. 472 00:21:40,009 --> 00:21:42,730 - [General Thomas] Yeah, I think we've got some. 473 00:21:42,730 --> 00:21:44,240 Travis has been a great place 474 00:21:44,240 --> 00:21:46,880 where a lot of energy on innovation has occurred 475 00:21:46,880 --> 00:21:48,560 and we're really proud of that. 476 00:21:48,560 --> 00:21:51,293 I'm just talking about this specific instance. 477 00:21:52,180 --> 00:21:54,520 I don't think I'm qualified or we're in a position 478 00:21:54,520 --> 00:21:56,460 to tell you whether that bears fruit or not 479 00:21:56,460 --> 00:21:59,370 or whether it's something that we should be doing, over. 480 00:21:59,370 --> 00:22:01,527 - [Tony] Fair enough, thanks. 481 00:22:01,527 --> 00:22:04,190 - And we have time for another question. 482 00:22:04,190 --> 00:22:08,250 Is there anybody on the line that has a question? 483 00:22:08,250 --> 00:22:11,720 Either a re-attack or something. 484 00:22:11,720 --> 00:22:13,720 Someone who hasn't asked a question yet? 485 00:22:14,868 --> 00:22:15,710 - [Cameron] Hi, it's Todd Cameron 486 00:22:15,710 --> 00:22:18,560 from The Wall Street Journal here, if I could put one in? 487 00:22:21,700 --> 00:22:22,880 Can you hear me OK? 488 00:22:22,880 --> 00:22:25,063 - [General Thomas] Yeah, go ahead. I got you loud and clear. 489 00:22:27,250 --> 00:22:29,020 - [Cameron] I wonder if you could just give us 490 00:22:29,020 --> 00:22:32,880 a quick update on the on the Kraft program. 491 00:22:32,880 --> 00:22:33,750 You've talked before 492 00:22:33,750 --> 00:22:37,250 about how you are focusing on commercial capacity 493 00:22:37,250 --> 00:22:40,546 for the international airlift efforts. 494 00:22:40,546 --> 00:22:42,790 What would it take to, given the uncertainty 495 00:22:42,790 --> 00:22:46,980 over what the domestic commercial network might look like 496 00:22:46,980 --> 00:22:49,870 by the end of the month or into next month? 497 00:22:49,870 --> 00:22:51,810 What what would be the kind of triggers 498 00:22:51,810 --> 00:22:54,080 that might make you move up the paces 499 00:22:54,080 --> 00:22:56,993 of the Kraft program, particularly domestically? 500 00:22:58,410 --> 00:23:00,400 - [General Thomas] OK. That's a great question. 501 00:23:00,400 --> 00:23:04,040 Let me start with the Kraft program has been a huge success 502 00:23:04,040 --> 00:23:05,530 for decades. 503 00:23:05,530 --> 00:23:07,220 We're really proud of that partnership 504 00:23:07,220 --> 00:23:11,830 between commercial cargo and passenger carriers 505 00:23:11,830 --> 00:23:14,377 that fly under U.S. flags and the U.S. Transcom 506 00:23:14,377 --> 00:23:17,510 and the Air Mobility Command, it really works well. 507 00:23:17,510 --> 00:23:19,770 What's going on right now is that 508 00:23:21,600 --> 00:23:25,200 we are able to access the capacity that we need 509 00:23:25,200 --> 00:23:28,640 from commercial providers who are members of the Kraft 510 00:23:28,640 --> 00:23:31,410 without having to do any activation itself 511 00:23:31,410 --> 00:23:33,990 of any Kraft stages, stage one, two or three 512 00:23:33,990 --> 00:23:36,043 which it sounds like you're familiar with. 513 00:23:37,522 --> 00:23:40,340 Transcom basically puts out movements for a bid 514 00:23:40,340 --> 00:23:42,740 by those commercial carriers and they are coming in 515 00:23:42,740 --> 00:23:45,982 and they are taking those tasks and executing them 516 00:23:45,982 --> 00:23:48,050 with vigor and confidence. 517 00:23:48,050 --> 00:23:52,060 And so right now at this point, we perceive that 518 00:23:52,060 --> 00:23:53,980 that we'll be able to continue that 519 00:23:53,980 --> 00:23:57,880 and that there won't require any activation itself formerly 520 00:23:57,880 --> 00:24:00,893 of the Kraft program. I hope that makes sense, over. 521 00:24:01,870 --> 00:24:03,010 - [Cameron] No, it makes a lot of sense 522 00:24:03,010 --> 00:24:05,410 given the amount of capacity out there. 523 00:24:05,410 --> 00:24:08,730 Are you able or maybe your colleagues can do this offline 524 00:24:08,730 --> 00:24:11,430 able to give us some sort of the sense of how much 525 00:24:11,430 --> 00:24:14,233 commercial capacity you're currently utilizing? 526 00:24:15,210 --> 00:24:16,690 - [General Thomas] Yeah, I think that that's a question 527 00:24:16,690 --> 00:24:18,760 that we can take for a follow up 528 00:24:18,760 --> 00:24:23,508 and we would do that in partnership with the U.S. Transcom. 529 00:24:23,508 --> 00:24:25,270 - [Cameron] That's great. Thank you so much. 530 00:24:25,270 --> 00:24:26,243 - [General Thomas] Okay. 531 00:24:27,530 --> 00:24:29,610 - Okay. Thanks, everyone, for joining us. 532 00:24:29,610 --> 00:24:31,360 If you have any follow on questions 533 00:24:31,360 --> 00:24:34,360 feel free to reach out to Colonel Picot 534 00:24:34,360 --> 00:24:37,240 at Air Mobility Command and the team there 535 00:24:37,240 --> 00:24:40,223 will take anything for follow up. Thanks.