Wright-Patt Airmen deploy for National vaccination effort Published March 23, 2021 By Darrius Parker 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- Airmen from the 88th Air Base Wing’s Medical Group deployed to Detroit March 19 in support of a Department of Defense COVID-19 vaccination support operation. A team of approximately 120 Airmen arrived at Ford Field to support the community vaccination center. This team is part of the DOD's COVID-19 response operation Type Team 1. “This deployment will help more people get vaccinated and deliver more shots in arms,” said Col. Jason Musser, 88 MDG deputy commander. “Some states unfortunately are having more difficulties than others in getting their people vaccinated. The help that our Airmen provide will increase the vaccination administration, and this will ultimately help in the battle against COVID-19.” The Airmen joined the other approximate 2,700 military medical and support personnel from the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force already supporting the vaccination efforts in California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and the U.S. Virgin Islands. “The 88th Air Base Wing is proud to contribute to the fight against COVID-19 to protect our fellow Americans,” said Col. Patrick Miller, 88th Air Base Wing and Installation commander. “Our Airmen are highly trained and are ready to take part of this very important mission to help save lives.” 2nd Lt. Destiny Jones, deployer and 88 MDG labor and delivery nurse, had the opportunity to speak to local media about her deployment and expectations. “This will be a huge shift to what I’m used to doing, but I’m honored and excited to help those in need,” Jones said. According to FEMA, the military and support personnel throughout the country have already administered approximately 700,000 vaccines, and a single Type 1 Team is capable of administering 6,000 vaccines. With the new addition of personnel supporting this vaccination effort, this will allow more vaccinations to occur so that the battle against COVID-19 can be won sooner than predicted. The U.S. Army North and Joint Force Land Component Command of U.S. Northern Command will oversee this response operation in support of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Health and Human Services. For more information regarding the different teams and CVCs, please refer to the FEMA Community Vaccination Centers playbook. For additional information, contact the ARNORTH and JFLCC public affairs office at 210-428-9835.