On Friday the North Carolina National Guard will wind down its COVID-19 relief operations. The National Guard has been on duty for 135 days, with 236 guardsmen currently on COVID-19 duty. The National Guard will remain on standby, ready to reengage COVID-19 relief efforts if the state requests it.
“NCDHHS is incredibly grateful for the tireless work our National Guard colleagues have performed day after day across the state throughout this pandemic,” said NCDHHS Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen. “Their dedication and energy have been mission-critical in our efforts to ensure all North Carolinians remained as safe and healthy as possible during these challenging times.”
940 soldiers and airmen were activated across the state supporting relief efforts during the height of the COVID-19 response. Their main efforts were assisting with warehouse management and logistics distribution of personal protective equipment and to support the state’s food bank and food shuttle operations.
“We thank the men and women of the National Guard, and we thank their families and their employers for sharing them with us during this pandemic,” said North Carolina Emergency Management Director Mike Sprayberry. “The National Guard team has provided vital services to our state and we salute them for a mission well done.”
“In our 357-year history, we have never been mobilized for a pandemic even though we have planned for something like this,” said Col. Wes Morrison, NCNG Army chief-of-staff. “I am so proud of the teamwork displayed by our Soldiers and Airmen as they worked directly with NCDHHS, DPS, NCEM, non-profit food banks and county school systems to assist with planning, logistics, distribution, engineering support, COVID testing, and medical contingency planning and support.”
All North Carolina guardsmen coming off COVID-19 duty are screened for the virus and depending on the results will be released from duty no later than August 7. For the remainder of the summer and into the fall, the National Guard will pivot their efforts and focus on disaster response plans for the upcoming height of hurricane season.