JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas –
At the request of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, approximately 100 military medical personnel will deploy in five, 20-person teams- one team to Colorado, two teams to Montana and two teams to Minnesota to support civilian healthcare workers treating COVID-19 patients in local hospitals.
These teams join one other team in Montana and three additional teams - one in Idaho, one in Utah and one in Washington state. U.S. Army North, under U.S. Northern Command’s oversight, provides operational command of the teams.
“As we approach the holiday season and make plans to gather with loved ones, we cannot let our guard down against the pandemic or any other threat to America,” said Lt. Gen. John R. Evans Jr., ARNORTH commander. “Rest assured, U.S. Army North maintains constant vigilance and is prepared to respond at a moment’s notice in defense of our nation, and in support of our partners.”
The military medical personnel includes nurses, respiratory therapists and medical doctors.
In Colorado, one 20-person team from the U.S. Air Force will support UCHealth Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins.
In Minnesota, one 20-person team from the U.S. Air Force will support Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis, while another 20-person from the Air Force will support St. Cloud hospital in that city.
In Montana, one 20-person team from the U.S. Air Force will support Benefis Health System in Great Falls, while another 20-person team from the U.S. Navy will support Providence St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula. They join a U.S. Navy team already in Billings.
ARNORTH is the joint force land component command of USNORTHCOM.