Army general to co-lead Operation Warp Speed for COVID-19 vaccine

By David Vergun, Defense.govMay 18, 2020

Gen. Gustave F. Perna, commanding general, U.S. Army Materiel Command, talks about his current vision for reform during a quarterly update at U.S. Army Sustainment Command headquarters, Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, Feb. 26. Gen. Perna will...
Gen. Gustave F. Perna, commanding general, U.S. Army Materiel Command, talks about his current vision for reform during a quarterly update at U.S. Army Sustainment Command headquarters, Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, Feb. 26. Gen. Perna will co-lead an effort, dubbed Operation Warp Speed, to find a vaccine for COVID-19 by January 2021. (Photo Credit: Kevin Fleming) VIEW ORIGINAL

President Donald J. Trump announced on Friday that Army Gen. Gustave F. Perna, the commander of Army Materiel Command, will co-lead an effort, dubbed Operation Warp Speed, to find a vaccine for COVID-19 by January 2021.

Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper said the Defense Department is very excited and committed to partnering with the Department of Health and Human Services, across the government, and in the private sector to accomplish the mission. "Winning matters, and we will deliver by the end of this year a vaccine at scale to treat the American people and our partners abroad," he said.

The goal is to produce about 300 million vaccines by January, said Jonathan Rath Hoffman, assistant to the secretary of defense for public affairs, at a Pentagon press briefing on Friday.

Army Spc. David Alvarez from 510th Human Resources Company, deployed from Fort Drum, N.Y., scans a sailors identification card while departing  the Javits New York Medical Station, in support of the Department of Defense COVID-19 response, May 10,...
Army Spc. David Alvarez from 510th Human Resources Company, deployed from Fort Drum, N.Y., scans a sailors identification card while departing the Javits New York Medical Station, in support of the Department of Defense COVID-19 response, May 10, 2020. U.S. Northern Command, through U.S. Army North, remains committed to providing flexible Department of Defense support to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for the whole-of-nation COVID-19 response. (Photo Credit: Cpl. Rachel Thicklin) VIEW ORIGINAL

Hoffman mentioned that it's a goal involving a whole-of-government approach, not just the DOD.

Regarding DOD and the Pentagon, Hoffman said neither has been shut down and daily operations continue, albeit with mitigation steps that include social distancing, face masks, quarantine when necessary and telework if the situation allows.

Army Maj. Rajeev Manchukonda, assigned to the Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx, New York, distributes meals to medical personnel in support of the Department of Defense COVID-19 response, April 28, 2020. U.S. Northern Command, through U.S. Army...
Army Maj. Rajeev Manchukonda, assigned to the Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx, New York, distributes meals to medical personnel in support of the Department of Defense COVID-19 response, April 28, 2020. U.S. Northern Command, through U.S. Army North, is providing military support to the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help communities in need. (Photo Credit: Cpl. Rachel Thicklin) VIEW ORIGINAL

As for increasing the number of personnel at the Pentagon, Hoffman said it will be conditions-based and informed by medical experts. The Pentagon, he said, is in consultation with the governments of the District of Columbia, Virginia and Maryland. Policy and decisions are currently under review and are expected to be released in a matter of weeks.

Regarding the hospital ships USNS Comfort and Mercy, Hoffman said they have completed their work in New York City and Los Angeles and are standing by if their services are needed elsewhere.

Related links

Army.mil: COVID-19 guidance

Army.mil: Worldwide News

Defense.gov

General Gustave F. Perna