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ARNORTH adjusts military COVID-19 hospital support as demand decreases

By Col. Martin O'DonnellApril 1, 2021

SAN ANTONIO, Texas – At the request of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and due to decreasing demand for military medical workers deployed to civilian hospitals in the United States, U.S. Army North, U.S. Northern Command's Joint Force Land Component Command, adjusted its COVID-19 response operation. The last ten military medical personnel, from the U.S. Air Force, ended their mission today at the Kingman Regional Medical Center in Kingman, Arizona.

“Through our Defense Coordinating Officers and Defense Coordinating Elements, we remain in constant coordination with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and carefully monitor conditions as they relate to COVID-19,” said Lt. Gen. Laura J. Richardson, U.S. Army North (Fifth Army) and JFLCC commander. “As demand for federal military support declines, so too can our presence as we reset for potential, future missions directed by the Department of Defense.”

These ten military medical personnel and 580 others from the U.S. Army and U.S. Army Reserve, the U.S. Navy, and the U.S. Air Force recently worked alongside civilian healthcare providers in civilian hospitals, helping treat COVID-19 patients in six states and the Navajo Nation.

U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Cruz Williamson (left) recalls specific data points for Capt. Heber Hoil (right), both medical-surgical nurses, assigned to U.S. Army North Task Force 46 during their evening shift exchange at Kingman Regional Medical Center, March 9, 2021, Kingman, Arizona. Williamson points out important notes for a patient to preserve the quality of care over the following 12 hours. U.S. Northern Command, through U.S. Army North, remains committed to providing flexible Department of Defense support to the whole-of-government COVID-19 response. (U.S. Army Photo by Spc. Joseph E. D. Knoch/5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)
U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Cruz Williamson (left) recalls specific data points for Capt. Heber Hoil (right), both medical-surgical nurses, assigned to U.S. Army North Task Force 46 during their evening shift exchange at Kingman Regional Medical Center, March 9, 2021, Kingman, Arizona. Williamson points out important notes for a patient to preserve the quality of care over the following 12 hours. U.S. Northern Command, through U.S. Army North, remains committed to providing flexible Department of Defense support to the whole-of-government COVID-19 response. (U.S. Army Photo by Spc. Joseph E. D. Knoch/5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment) (Photo Credit: Spc. Joseph Knoch) VIEW ORIGINAL

While these joint personnel ceased their support, U.S. Northern Command, through ARNORTH, continues to oversee approximately 3,800 military medical and support personnel from the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force who will support or who are already supporting the federal vaccination effort in 16 states and in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

For additional information, contact U.S. Army North (Fifth Army) Public Affairs office at usarmy.jbsa.arnorth.mbx.pao-media-operations@mail.mil.

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