January UTA limited to mission essential personnel

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Marnee A.C. Losurdo
  • 403rd Wing

The 403rd Wing Jan. 9-10 Unit Training Assembly is for mission essential personnel only.

 

Do not plan to attend the UTA in-person unless told to do so by squadron leadership.

 

“Commanders have maximum flexibility for all others to telework, reschedule or excuse the January UTA,” said Col. Jeffrey A. Van Dootingh, 403rd Wing commander. “We must balance mission accomplishment with the unnecessary risk of exposing our Airmen to COVID.”

 

Airmen who attend the UTA 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. Members may not dine-in at off-base restaurants but takeout is authorized. Military members are also prohibited from attending bars and nightclubs. During the UTA, the Azalea Dining facility will allow up to 50% capacity for dining inside and will be open for takeout 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.

 

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. Unit members should practice strict hygiene, such as no hand-shaking and proper hand washing, social distancing and taking appropriate actions if sick.

 

“The most important measure Wing members can take is to stay away if they develop symptoms or think they have been exposed to anyone with COVID,” 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 or exposed to 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.

 

For more information, visit the 403rd Wing Website www.403wg.afrc.af.mil, the wing’s Air Force Connect App, and the Keesler AFB Health page at www.keesler.af.mil/Health.