KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- The 403rd Wing Unit Training Assembly is Dec. 5-6, 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.
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.
“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.
Information about UTA gate access, lodging, dining and fitness hours is listed below.
Gate access: The Meadows Gate will be open for inbound traffic from 6 to 8 a.m. Dec. 5-6, and the Pass Road gate is open 24 hours. The White Avenue Gate, which is normally open 24 hours, will close in the evenings from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. starting Dec. 6.
Lodging: 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 are asked to make reservations at the off base locations offered through the Automated Lodging Reservation System, 228-377-6522, and will be placed off-base, said Senior Master Sgt. Lisa M. Baldelli, 403rd Force Support Squadron services superintendent. Check out time for all lodging locations is 11a.m. Late fees may be charged and it is the responsibility of the member to pay the late fees, she added.
Dining: 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. Members may dine in at restaurants and use off-base gyms; however, Airmen should avoid bars and nightclubs.
Fitness: For any Airman wishing to use the Blake and Dragon fitness centers, admittance is by appointment only. The Triangle Fitness Center is for Airmen in training only.
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.