KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- The 403rd Wing Unit Training Assembly is Nov. 7-8, with COVID-19 mitigation measures in place.
Col. Jeffrey A. Van Dootingh, 403rd Wing commander, reminds Airmen who attend the UTA that they must comply with base security and health protection requirements.
Keesler is currently in Health Protection Condition Bravo. Per Department of Defense guidance, face coverings are required when individuals cannot maintain six feet of physical distance in public areas or work centers. The group size for mission and service essential activities is no more than 25 people.
The Meadows Gate will be open from 6 to 8 a.m. Nov. 7-8, and the White Avenue and Pass Road gates are open 24 hours. Some wing members who are coming in for the UTA from out-of-town without transportation will be placed in lodging on base, and the rest will be placed off-base. Wing buildings may utilize more than one entrance provided that there is hand sanitizer available and units will still perform COVID screenings during UTA sign-in. During the UTA, the Azalea Dining facility will allow up to 50% capacity for dining inside and will be open for take-out with brunch from 6 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., lunch options starting at 10:30 a.m., and dinner hours from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. For any Airman wishing to use Blake and Dragon fitness centers, admittance is by appointment only. Members may dine in at restaurants use off-base gyms; however, Airmen should avoid bars and nightclubs. Also, for members who are on orders, travel assessments are required for Airmen who plan to travel outside of Mississippi. Additionally, unit members should practice strict hygiene, such as no hand-shaking and proper hand washing, social distancing and taking appropriate actions if sick.
“Wing members with symptoms should not come in and must report any contact, exposure, or positive test for COVID-19,” said the wing commander. “Air Force Reserve members must remember that they are required to notify their commander if they or a family member is diagnosed with COVID.”
If a wing member starts to feel ill during the UTA, they should not go to the 403rd Aeromedical Staging Squadron, but either go to the Keesler Medical Center or a physician of their choice such as an Urgent Care, he added.
Reservists may also use the Keesler Medical Center drive-up COVID Clinic. The hours are 7 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, and closed Sunday.