NEWS
FEATURE
721 APS maintains readiness, Pages 8-9
K-9: Drug detection, building search training, Pages 12-13
NEWS
86 MXG: Expanding aeromedical evacuation capabilities, Page 14
May 8, 2020 | Volume 44, Number 18
HEALTH
Ticks in Germany, Page 22
Enclosed Flyer valid May 7-13
Read the KA online at KaiserslauternAmerican.com
Combined US-German COVID response efforts make a difference Story and photos by Stefan Alford U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz Public Affairs
With more than 50,000 Americans, and nearly 200,000 of its own citizens, the Kaiserslautern area has long been recognized as being the largest U.S. military community overseas. It’s no surprise that over the decades, many residents of both nationalities have come to speak each other’s language and build lasting partnerships — the kind of well-established communication and friendship that has been integral in the joint effort to mitigate the spread of coronavirus in this area. In fact, shortly after U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz Commander Col. Jason Edwards arrived in July 2018 he met with the Kaiserslautern County Commissioner and his emergency response chief to discuss mutual capabilities for a joint response to a crisis situation. One of the initial discussion topics was preventing and responding to the African swine fever virus — a concern coming across European borders at that time. Since then, Edwards has emphasized regular contact and sharing of crisis response planning ideas with the county and city’s emergency management teams, thereby strengthening interoperability between the U.S. forces and its host nation counterparts. While none at the time could have
Staff Sgt. Maxime Copley, 86th Medical Group independent duty medical technician, writes down patient information in the Ramstein Medical Clinic’s coronavirus disease 2019 screening drive-thru at Ramstein Air Base, March 31. The 86th MDG transformed its main parking lot into a drive-thru to expedite testing and prevent the spread of COVID-19.
foreseen the current global pandemic, that groundwork has been key during the local COVID-19 response effort, with defined relationships, established communications channels and a team identity to work together to keep the
number of positive cases to a minimum. “I am thankful for the good communication between U.S. and German health authorities,” said Deputy County Commissioner Peter
Schmidt, the lead for the county’s COVID-19 crisis response team and part of the 2018 meeting between Edwards and County Commissioner Ralf Lessmeister. “Everything is running smoothly for coordination. We
appreciate the successful execution of what was actually promised.” During the most recent touch point, a conference call on April See COVID RESPONSE, Page 6
Ramstein begins phased reopening Story and photos by Senior Airman Elizabeth Baker 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Customers exit the Base Exchange at Ramstein Air Base, April 21. As Germany loosened its restrictions and reopen some off-base establishments, the BX opened select stores in a phased approach under the careful oversight of 86th Airlift Wing public health professionals.
When the U.S. Department of Defense moved into Health Protection Condition Charlie at the end of March, Ramstein shut down nonessential facilities to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease
2019. Now, 86th Airlift Wing leadership aims to begin a phased approach back to normal operations. While complying with German restrictions and considering the needs of the community, Ramstein leadership has been conducting evaluations to determine which facilities can reopen.
“(Reopening) is going to be linked to what goes on with the COVID-19 fight and in the community, and it certainly also depends on the recommendations from Public Health before we get anything else open,” said U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Mark R. August, See PHASED REOPENING, Page 3
