California Military Dept. on humanitarian duty to respond to COVID-19

SACRAMENTO–Responding to California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s alert last week, California Military Department service members from around the state have come on duty to perform vital humanitarian support missions to local and state agencies.

Airmen from the Fresno-based, 144th Fighter Wing, California Air National Guard, deployed their Medical Detachment 1’s Homeland Response Force to support the California Emergency Medical Services Authority. Working alongside their CalEMSA counter-parts, the Airmen will assist at a medical supply warehouse in Sacramento.

Additionally, ten Airmen from the 144th FW deployed to Pacific Grove, California where they are assisting CalEMSA with the care of 19 quarantined passengers from the Grand Princess Cruise ship.

Governor Newsom also activated close to 500 Soldiers with Joint Task Force 115 to support county food banks. Last week, Soldiers and Airmen from the California National Guard (CNG) deployed to support food bank warehouses in Sacramento. On Monday, March 23, the CNG will deploy service members to the following counties to support additional food banks:

Amador County:

Interfaith Food Bank, 12181 Airport Jackson Road, CA 95642

Monterey County:

Foodbank for Monterey County, 353 W. Rossi Street, Salinas, CA 93907

Riverside County: FIND Food Bank, 83775 Citrus Ave, Indio CA 92201

Santa Cruz County:

Second Harvest Food Bank, 800 Ohlone Pkwy, Watsonville, CA 95076

Santa Cruz Flea Market, 2260 Soquel Dr, Santa Cruz, CA 95065

Santa Clara County:

Second Harvest of Silicon Valley, 750 Cutner Avenue, San Jose, CA 95125

The Soldiers are providing extra help to agencies suffering from a decline in volunteers due to a state-wide stay at home order.

“It’s in these times of crisis that Californians are at their best, coming to the aid of those in their community who are most in need. Food banks provide a critical lifeline for families, and are needed now more than ever,” said Governor Newsom. “Families across our state are suddenly losing work, and millions of Californians most vulnerable to COVID-19 are staying home to protect their health and the health of others. I ask all Californians who are able to join our Neighbor-to-Neighbor campaign to safely assist those in need in your community,” Newsom said.

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