Airmen adapt to COVID-19 working conditions

U.S. Air Force air traffic controllers watch the airfield while wearing cloth face coverings May 5, 2020, at Travis Air Force Base, California. The coronavirus pandemic has had a minimal impact on the Travis AFB control tower team’s 24/7mission. Air traffic controllers promote the orderly, safe and expeditious flow of air traffic under both visual and instrument controls by issuing advisories, instructions and clearances. (U.S. Air Force photo by Heide Couch)

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Airmen adapt to COVID-19 working conditions

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Robinson Sanon, 821st Contingency Response Squadron air traffic control journeyman, watches a KC-10 Extender depart May 5, 2020, in the control tower, at Travis Air Force Base, California. The coronavirus pandemic has had a minimal impact on the Travis Control Tower team’s 24/7mission. Air traffic controllers promote the orderly, safe and expeditious flow of air traffic under both visual and instrument controls by issuing advisories, instructions and clearances. (U.S. Air Force photo by Heide Couch)

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Airmen adapt to COVID-19 working conditions

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Drew Tsubota, left, 60th Operation Support Squadron air traffic control journeyman and Staff Sgt. Shane Goldstedt, right, 921st Contingency Response Squadron ATC journeyman, monitor aircraft in the control tower May 5, 2020, Travis Air Force Base, California. The coronavirus pandemic has had a minimal impact on the Travis Control Tower team’s 24/7mission. Air traffic controllers promote the orderly, safe and expeditious flow of air traffic under both visual and instrument controls by issuing advisories, instructions and clearances. (U.S. Air Force photo by Heide Couch)

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Airmen adapt to COVID-19 working conditions

U.S. Air Force air traffic controllers assigned to the 60th Operations Support Squadron Radar Approach Control, monitor the airspace May 5, 2020, at Travis Air Force Base, California. The coronavirus pandemic has affected RAPCON daily operations due to the significant decrease in civilian and military air traffic. To help mitigate the spread of the coronavirus, the RAPCON has reduced the size of the crews on duty in addition to requiring cloth face coverings, and the frequent sanitization of the touch screen equipment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Heide Couch)

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Airmen adapt to COVID-19 working conditions

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Nathan Scott, right, and Staff Sgt. Austin Keltner, left, 60th Operation Support Squadron air traffic controllers, monitor aircraft at the Radar Approach Control flight operation center May 5, 2020, at Travis Air Force Base, California. The coronavirus pandemic has affected RAPCON daily operations due to the significant decrease in civilian and military air traffic. To help mitigate the spread of the coronavirus, the RAPCON has reduced the size of the crews on duty in addition to requiring cloth face coverings, and the frequent sanitization of the touch screen equipment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Heide Couch)

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Airmen adapt to COVID-19 working conditions

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col Michael Pettibone, left, and 1st Lt. John Massey, 21st Airlift Squadron pilots, conduct preflight operations in the flight deck of a C-17 Globemaster III May 6, 2020, at Travis Air Force Base, California. Aircrews have adapted to meet Department of Defense requirements to minimize the spread of the coronavirus and to prioritize health and safety by using personal protective equipment and sanitizing flight controls. (U.S. Air Force photo by Heide Couch)

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Airmen adapt to COVID-19 working conditions

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Eric Vanderford, left, 21st Airlift Squadron loadmaster, and Master Sgt. Jesse Williams, 21st AS instructor loadmaster, conduct preflight operations in the flight deck of a C-17 Globemaster III May 6, 2020, at Travis Air Force Base, California. Aircrews have adapted to meet Department of Defense requirements to minimize the spread of the coronavirus and to prioritize health and safety by using personal protective equipment and sanitizing flight controls. (U.S. Air Force photo by Heide Couch)

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Airmen adapt to COVID-19 working conditions

U.S. Airmen assigned to the 60th Aerial Port Squadron, stand in formation during an early morning roll call June 4, 2020, at Travis Air Force Base, California. The 60th APS continue to coordinate and deliver goods and services while enforcing the physical distancing and hygiene safety measures in place to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. (U.S. Air Force photo by Heide Couch)

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Airmen adapt to COVID-19 working conditions

U.S. Airmen assigned to the 60th Aerial Port Squadron, stand in formation during an early morning roll call June 4, 2020, at Travis Air Force Base, California. The 60th APS continue to coordinate and deliver goods and services while enforcing the physical distancing and hygiene safety measures in place to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. (U.S. Air Force photo by Heide Couch)

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Airmen adapt to COVID-19 working conditions

U.S. Air Force 2nd Lt. Sharon Dominguez, left, 60th Aerial Port Squadron air freight flight commander, presents the Air Force Achievement Medal to Staff Sgt. Nicholas Chaloupka, right, 60th APS ramp services shift supervisor, June 4, 2020, at Travis Air Force Base, California. The squadron continues normal operations while enforcing the physical distancing and hygiene safety measures in place to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. (U.S. Air Force photo by Heide Couch)

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Airmen adapt to COVID-19 working conditions

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Francis Raymundo, 60th Dental Squadron dental technician, wears a reusable face shield while conducting an examination June 5, 2020, at Travis Air Force Base, California. The 60th Aerospace Medicine Squadron Bioenvironmental Engineering Flight, 60th Air Mobility Wing Phoenix Spark innovation cell and 60th Maintenance Squadron collaborated to design and manufacture personal protective equipment for David Grant USAF Medical Center. As of June 1, DGMC had received 153 face shields in response to the coronavirus pandemic. (U.S. Air Force photo by Heide Couch)

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Airmen adapt to COVID-19 working conditions

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Kiarra Vendrell, left, 60th Dental Squadron dental technician, takes the temperature of Lt. Col. Thomas Weber, right, 60th DS dentist, June 6, 2020, at Travis Air Force Base, California. Dental clinic staff and patients are screened for COVID-19 symptoms prior to reporting to duty or appointments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Heide Couch

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Airmen adapt to COVID-19 working conditions

Published June 23, 2020
By Heide Couch
60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

Though U.S. Airmen are used to facing unique conditions these challenges are further complicated due to the coronavirus pandemic. All individuals on Department of Defense property, installations, and facilities are required to wear cloth face coverings when they cannot maintain six feet of physical distance in public areas or work centers. Travis Airmen have adapted to working in close quarters by reducing the amount of staff present, wearing personal protective equipment and maintaining physical distancing when possible. Frequent use of disinfectants and hand sanitizers are also part of the new normal.