How US Air Force bomber crews adjusted to COVID-19 in order to deploy to the middle of the Indian Ocean

• Restrictions related to COVID-19 have changed how the US Air Force operates all over the world.
• For airmen deploying to Diego Garcia this month, special considerations were still made even though they were heading to an island facility in the middle of the Indian Ocean.

Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia — COVID-19 is changing operational practices throughout the Air Force, forcing innovative adaptions in order to remain combat ready.

For the members of the 393rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, special considerations were taken to ensure every member was COVID free prior to arriving at Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia.

Prior to deployment, each member completed a 14-day mandated quarantine and tested negative for COVID-19 before departing Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri.

The restriction ensured airmen were healthy and ready to perform their mission.

"We worked closely with our medical experts to design a model for how bombers can deploy to the other side of the globe during a pandemic," said US Air Force Lt. Col. Christopher Conant, Bomber Task Force commander. "To remain a lethal and ready force, our airmen must be healthy."

Any member who tested positive or was found violating the 14-day restriction, was immediately removed from the deployment as means to prevent possible spread or contamination.

"We needed to make sure we were minimizing any chances of bringing someone who was potentially COVID-positive with us to Diego Garcia, not just for the potential impacts it could mean for our mission, but for the US Navy's mission as well," said US Air Force Capt. Joseph Sharp, 393rd EBS flight doctor.

Upon arrival at Diego Garcia, members began a second 14-day restricted movement phase to ensure local personnel and their mission remained unaffected.

During this restricted movement phase, members prepared for the arrival of the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber to demonstrate Air Force Global Strike Command's ability to deliver lethal, ready, long-range strike options to geographic combatant commanders anytime, anywhere.

Other protective measures also remain in place, such as social-distancing, hand-washing, and wearing masks when social-distancing cannot be maintained.

The additional precautions allowed all members of the 393rd EBS to lead the way and support the US Indo-Pacific Command's mission to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific region and demonstrate the B-2 Spirit's capabilities across the world.