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  • DAF authorizes pass for COVID booster

    “We strongly encourage all Airmen, Guardians, and DAF federal employees to receive a booster. As COVID-19 cases continue to surge, we need to do everything possible to protect ourselves, our families, and our communities—that means getting a booster,” said Under Secretary of the Air Force Gina Ortiz

  • Department of the Air Force releases COVID-19 policy

    The Department of the Air Force released its policy Dec. 8 outlining the way forward for Total Force military members serving in the Air Force and Space Force who have requested separation or retirement prior to Nov. 2, 2021, or whose COVID-19 medical exemption or religious accommodation was denied.

  • DAF COVID-19 military vaccination deadlines approaches

    Any active-component Airman or Guardian who has refused to obtain a qualifying vaccine by Nov. 2 and has not received, or, is not in the process of seeking, a medical exemption or religious accommodation will be in violation of a lawful order and subject to discipline under Article 92 of the Uniform

  • DoD directs employees to start wearing face masks again

    Following guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Defense Department has directed employees working in areas at high risk for transmission to begin using face masks again as a measure to prevent the continued spread of the COVID-19 virus, especially the fast-moving,

  • New COVID-19 Delta Variant: What you need to know to stay safe

    A new and increasingly dangerous variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is rapidly sweeping across the globe. The good news, however, is that the existing vaccines now available to everyone over the age of 12 have proven to be highly effective in preventing the Delta variant as well as other versions of

  • Resilient and fit despite COVID-19

    On July 1, 2021, the Air Force will resume its physical fitness testing, following months of delay caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, Airmen of all ranks, ranging from new arrivals to those in the senior tier, have had to find different ways to maintain a healthy level of fitness

  • DoD adds COVID-19 guidelines for deployers

    The Disaster Emergency Medical Operations Support Team tested more than 250 Airmen for COVID-19 prior to their departure to a deployed location April 15, 2021, here.

  • COVID-19 vaccine does not affect fertility, immunization experts say

    You're pregnant, or you’re breastfeeding. Should you get a COVID-19 vaccine? That’s a question on the minds of many military frontline health care workers today. The short answer is that it’s an individual’s choice, and military health experts say the vaccine is well worth considering.

  • DOD announces use of masks and other public health measures

    Today, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III signed a memo that, effective immediately, directs all individuals on military installations and all individuals performing official duties on behalf of the Department from any location other than the individual’s home, including outdoor shared spaces,

  • DOD experts explain: The science behind the COVID-19 vaccines

    Almost six weeks after the Food and Drug Administration issued emergency use authorization for the first two COVID-19 vaccines, many questions have arisen concerning their efficacy in attacking the SARS-CoV-2 virus and deadly COVID-19 disease. To better understand how COVID-19 vaccines work, MHS

  • AC3: Answering all things COVID

    Personnel from the 379th Air Expeditionary Medical Group, Host Nation Support Cell and Plans and Programs have banded together to create a one-stop shop to answer any questions concerning COVID-19 at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar. This team is known as the AUAB COVID Command and Control Team.

  • Operation Warp Speed makes swift progress

    Unprecedented progress has been made recently on Operation Warp Speed - the effort by the Defense Department, Health and Human Services, other federal agencies and private industry to develop a coronavirus vaccine, an HHS official said Oct. 9.

  • Understanding depression in a time of COVID-19

    This is a stressful, uncertain time. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought many significant changes to how we live daily life. Social distancing, quarantine, and isolation can be overwhelming and may cause feelings of insecurity, confusion, hopelessness, and, ultimately, depression.

  • For some, working from home brings neck and back pain

    “There’s no place like home” may be an appropriate sentiment for people who favor working from the comfort of home during the novel coronavirus pandemic. However, it doesn’t ring true for those teleworkers who are feeling more pain than comfort because their home office leaves much to be desired.“I

  • AFTAC uses technology to execute Change of Command

    The Air Force Technical Applications Center here underwent a change of command, employing modern-day technology to accomplish long-standing traditions. Col. Chad Hartman relinquished command to Col. Katharine Barber as 16th Air Force commander Lt. Gen. Timothy Haugh served as the presiding officer

  • Air Force provider burnout - pouring from an empty cup

    Air Force medics are on the front lines against COVID-19, and maintaining their mental well-being is critical to keeping them in the fight.Delivering medical care in a pandemic or other crisis creates new mental health challenges, and makes existing challenges more serious. Medics should be aware of

  • Prioritizing sleep vital as Airmen adjust to new normal

    The COVID-19 epidemic affects every aspect of life, but a full night’s sleep remains vital to overall health and function. Continued lack of sleep can be detrimental to an Airman’s job performance, their ability to fight off infections, and their overall readiness and wellbeing.

  • Air Force cancels 2020 Marathon, offers virtual option

    Numerous scenarios were explored to produce an event that was safe for all and met the high event standards. All scenarios led the marathon team to conclude the event would be unable to proceed in a manner that participants have come to expect.

  • Rain, shine or pandemic: 99th MDSS supports Team Nellis

    Driving past a little girl holding her mom’s hand while clinching a doll, is nothing out of the ordinary. Taking a second glance, you realize everyone is wearing face masks and the little girl’s doll is no exception, it’s sporting one to match the fashionable outfit chosen for today. This surreal

  • TRICARE revises telehealth policy to respond to COVID-19

    To improve virtual access to health care during COVID-19, TRICARE recently revised its policy on telehealth services. This temporarily allows you access to care more easily during the constraints of the pandemic. These changes will remain for the duration of the stateside public health emergency.

  • DOD allows remote extension of ID cards

    Is your military ID card expiring, but with social distancing and various stay-at-home orders in effect, you aren't sure whether you'll be able to renew it? The Department of Defense has changed the process to allow service members and civilians to temporarily extend the life of their cards as the

  • The goal to ‘Mask an Airman’

    Wearing a mask has become part of everyday life for many people. When mask wear became mandatory in certain locations across the installation, not everyone was able to access them including many Airmen in the dorms.

  • Airmen must resist complacency, adhere to social distancing guidelines

    The COVID-19 pandemic continues to threaten the lives of hundreds of thousands of people around the world. One-in-five cases in the U.S. requiring hospitalization are people between the ages of 20 and 44. One-third of Department of Defense cases are in intensive care units. All Airmen are

  • Pandemic can’t stop AFTAC’s innovative Airmen

    As cleaning and disinfecting supplies rapidly disappeared from store shelves and warehouse stockrooms, demand far outweighed the availability of these products to protect against COVID-19. The Air Force Technical Applications Center at Patrick AFB, Fla., was no different. So what does the

  • AF implements options for Exceptional Family Members during pandemic

    The Air Force is providing additional support to Airmen with exceptional family members during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Exceptional Family Member Program instituted new support to minimize the impact caused by department COVID-19 policies, including the Stop Movement order and social distancing

  • Vital treaty monitoring mission continues in wake of COVID-19 response

    Since the initial outbreak of the coronavirus in the U.S., Col. Chad Hartman and his leadership team, headquartered at Patrick AFB, Fla., have been taking diligent steps to provide uninterrupted access to critical scientific data used by national decision makers regarding nuclear activity across the

  • Tinker expands precautions to combat COVID-19

    With the occurrence of Tinker Air Force Base’s first cases of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, Tinker’s leadership has continued to implement expanded precautions to keep Airmen safe while also ensuring the installation’s ability to meet mission requirements.

  • Commissary takes extra strides to continue service for military community

    The Commissary, like many grocery stores around the country, have the challenge of keeping shelves stocked, managing crowds of worried shoppers and sanitizing stores. With the recent concerns involving COVID-19, the store has seen a dramatic increase in customers stocking up on supplies.

  • Possible military pharmacy changes due to COVID-19

    Do you use a military pharmacy? If so, there may be temporary limitations that result in s decrease in service or closure at your pharmacy due to COVID-19. To maintain patient and personnel safety, you may have to temporarily switch your prescription to TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery or to a TRICARE

  • The Air Force is protecting Airmen while protecting nation

    How do you stand “shoulder to shoulder” in a time of COVID-19? For the United States Air and Space Forces, and indeed the entire United States military, this is no small question. It is so pressing, in fact, that the Air Force’s medical staff, in collaboration with experts nationwide, have been

  • DOD releases overseas stop movement order in response to COVID-19

    Building upon previously enacted movement restrictions governing foreign travel, permanent change of station moves, temporary duty and personal leave, this stop movement order will also impact exercises, deployments, redeployments and other global force management activities. Approximately 90,000

  • OneSource, family and spouse programs still available

    The Department of Defense is closely monitoring the impact of the coronavirus on service members, their families and survivors. Resources offered through Military OneSource, the Military and Family Life Counseling program, and the Spouse Education and Career Opportunities program continue to serve

  • DOD Confronts Coronavirus Head-On

    The Defense Department is taking positive action to protect people, safeguard critical national security missions and capabilities and support the whole-of-government approach to confronting the spread of the new coronavirus.

  • Coronavirus Disease: What you should know

    There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:

  • DOD Makes Plans to Combat Coronavirus

    Defense Department civilian and military leaders are working to ensure the department is ready for short- and long-term scenarios, as well as domestic and international situations.

  • Coronavirus: What providers, patients should know

    With news of the contagious and potentially deadly illness known as novel coronavirus grabbing headlines worldwide, military health officials say that an informed, common sense approach minimizes the chances of getting sick.