Air Force General Joseph Lengyel, Chief of the National Guard: Deployments For Coronavirus response

“The Department of Defense is not considering federalization of the National
Guard. The COVID-19 response is dynamic, but at this time governors remain in control of their states’ National Guard forces and can request additional assistance from federal Title 10 forces through FEMA.” – Tweet from Alyssa Farah, DOD Pentagon

Quotes:
“With COVID-19, it’s like we have 54 different hurricanes hitting every state, every territory, and the District of Columbia. Some are Category 5, some are Category 3, and some are Category 1. Bur a historic event demands a historic response – and that’s what you’re seeing from the National Guard.” Gen. Joseph Lengyel, chief of the National Guard Bureau “I hear unfounded rumors about National Guard troops supporting a nationwide quarantine. Let me be clear: There has been no such discussion.” Gen. Joseph Lengyel, chief of the National Guard Bureau

MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
THE SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY

SUBJECT:       Providing Federal Support for Governors’ Use of
the National Guard to Respond to COVID-19

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 5121-5207 (the “Stafford Act”), and section 502 of title 32, United States Code, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1.  Policy.  It is the policy of the United States to take measures to assist State Governors in their responses to all threats and hazards to the American people in their respective States.  Considering the profound and unique public health risks posed by the ongoing outbreak of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel (new) coronavirus known as SARS-CoV-2 (the virus), the need for close cooperation and mutual assistance between the Federal Government and the States is greater than at any time in recent history.  In recognizing this serious public health risk, I noted that on March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization announced that the COVID-19 outbreak can be characterized as a pandemic.  On March 13, 2020, I declared a national emergency recognizing the threat that SARS-CoV-2 poses to the Nation’s healthcare systems.  I also determined that same day that the COVID-19 outbreak constituted an emergency, of nationwide scope, pursuant to section 501(b) of the Stafford Act (42 U.S.C. 5191(b)).  To date, 50 States, the District of Columbia, 3 territories, 4 tribes, and 1 tribal nation have also declared emergencies as a result of the outbreak.  All States have activated their Emergency Operations Centers and are working to fight the spread of the virus and attend to those who have symptoms or who are already infected with COVID-19.  To provide maximum support to the Governors of the States of California, New York, and Washington as they make decisions about the responses required to address local conditions in each of their respective States and as they request Federal support under the Stafford Act, I am taking the actions set forth in sections 2 and 3 of this memorandum:

Sec. 2.  One Hundred Percent Federal Cost Share.  To maximize assistance to the Governors of the States of California, New York, and Washington to facilitate Federal support with respect to the use of National Guard units under State control, I am directing the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) of the Department of Homeland Security to fund 100 percent of the emergency assistance activities associated with preventing, mitigating, and responding to the threat to public health and safety posed by the virus that these States undertake using their National Guard forces, as authorized by sections 403 (42 U.S.C. 5170b) and 503 (42 U.S.C. 5193) of the Stafford Act.

Sec. 3.  Support of Operations or Missions to Prevent and Respond to the Spread of COVID-19.  I am directing the Secretary of Defense, to the maximum extent feasible and consistent with mission requirements (including geographic proximity), to request pursuant to 32 U.S.C. 502(f) that the Governors of the States of California, New York, and Washington order National Guard forces to perform duty to fulfill mission assignments, on a fully reimbursable basis, that FEMA issues to the Department of Defense for the purpose of supporting their respective State and local emergency assistance efforts under the Stafford Act.

Sec. 4.  General Provisions.  (a)  Nothing in this memorandum shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(i)   the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or

(ii)  the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

(b)  This memorandum shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

(c)  This memorandum is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

(d)  The Secretary of Defense is authorized and directed to publish this memorandum in the Federal Register.

DONALD J. TRUMP

National Guard Response to COVID-19
Air Force General Joseph Lengyel, Chief of the National Guard Bureau, Press Briefing
All 50 states, three territories and the District of Columbia are engaged in combating COVID-19; as of this morning, 7,300 Guard men and women are providing critical skills and support to the 54.
Current National Guard COVID-19 response missions include, but are not limited to:
. Delivering food in hard-hit communities;
. Manning call centers to be a knowledgeable and calming voice;
. Providing critical Personal Protective Equipment training and sample collection to first responders and hospital personnel;
. Supporting local emergency management agencies with response planning and execution;
. Providing support to testing facilities;
. Serving as response liaisons and support to state Emergency
Operations Centers;
. Proving transportation and assessment support to healthcare
providers;
. Assisting with disinfecting/cleaning of common public spaces;
. Collecting and delivering samples.

Quotes:
“With COVID-19, it’s like we have 54 different hurricanes hitting every state, every territory, and the District of Columbia. Some are Category 5, some are Category 3, and some are Category 1. Bur a historic event demands a historic response – and that’s what you’re seeing from the National Guard.” Gen. Joseph Lengyel, chief of the National Guard Bureau “I hear unfounded rumors about National Guard troops supporting a nationwide quarantine. Let me be clear: There has been no such discussion.” Gen. Joseph Lengyel, chief of the National Guard Bureau

“The Department of Defense is not considering federalization of the National
Guard. The COVID-19 response is dynamic, but at this time governors remain in control of their states’ National Guard forces and can request additional assistance from federal Title 10 forces through FEMA.” – Tweet from Alyssa Farah, DOD Pentagon Press Secretary
National Guard COVID-19 Response Efforts and State PAO Contact Information:
Maryland:
At the direction of Governor Hogan, the Maryland National Guard, Maryland Department of Health, and Prince George’s County Executive, Angela Alsobrooks, continue to work together for the establishment of a pilot health screening location at Fed-Ex field in Landover, Maryland. The MDNG and Maryland State Police will also begin food distribution assistance in Baltimore City this coming week. MDNG members continue to support state agencies with supply distribution at the Strategic National Stockpile as well as screening site set-up at White Oak Medical Center. Please attribute to Kurt Rauschenberg, Maryland National Guard public affairs officer. He can also be reached at kurt.m.rauschenberg.mil@mail.mil or (410) 576-6179.
New York:
The New York National Guard currently has more than 1,750 personnel on mission across the state. Two additional task forces are coming into operation in Syracuse and Buffalo this week, providing support to local authorities across the entire state.
The New York National Guard supports five drive-thru testing sites on Long Island, Staten Island and in Rockland and Westchester Counties. These sites supported testing for more than 3,600 people yesterday. The National Guard provided support in Westchester County yesterday to deploy and install a tent adjacent to Montefiore Hospital to assist in their reception and treatment of patients in their community.
Troops also provided food packaging and distribution at Hope Community Services in New Rochelle for the community. Similar missions continue today.
Also in New Rochelle, the New York National Guard continues cleaning of public buildings. Yesterday the National Guard completed its support to the New Rochelle High School, a structure of some 600,000 square feet.
Hand sanitizer deliveries continue today across the lower Hudson Valley to more than 18 sites in support of local government agencies.
New York National Guard also continues to provide 24-hour support call a center in Rotterdam, N.Y. to offer updated information to the public. The center is operated by the Department of Health and the Department of Taxation and Finance.

Please attribute to COL Richard Goldenberg, public affairs officer. He can be reached at richard.l.goldenberg.mil or (518) 786-6150.
Florida:
There are more than 1,000 Florida National Guardsmen activated in support of COVID-19.
The Florida National Guard continues to support the State’s COVID19 response with operational support for Community Based Testing Sites augmentation in Broward, Orlando, and Miami. The CBTS in Broward continues public testing assisting in the sampling of 1,446 patients in the last two days.
The Florida National Guard is providing support to medical professionals,
the State Logistics Readiness Center, the State’s Logistics Branch, the
State Emergency Operations Center and local emergency management offices across the state. For more information, please contact 1LT TJ Coleman, public affairs officer, at 904-823-0166 or tahisha.j.coleman.mil@mail.mil.
The National Guards of the 50 states, three territories and the District of Colombia have a very deep bench of nearly 450,000 experienced and proven Air and Army National Guard professionals. Guard units frequently train side-by-side with state and local emergency responders, making them well-suited for domestic operations.
National Guard members work and live in every community across the nation and have a proven track record of success supporting civilian authorities after homeland emergencies.
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