SOUTHWEST ASIA –
Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR) is continuing to implement force protection measures against COVID-19, which have proven their effectiveness in other military organizations, and are in compliance with U.S. Army Central Command guidance.
CJTF-OIR has implemented a series of protective measures designed to prevent any spread of the virus:
- Physical distancing – maintaining at least six feet of distance between individuals. This includes while waiting in lines at the dining facilities or shopping at the Post Exchange.
- Wearing a mask – especially in high traffic areas such as the Post Exchange, dining facilities, entrance to buildings, and in hallways, or when physical distancing is not possible due to work conditions.
- Dispersing the work force – moving to shift work to spread out the work force, minimizing the number of personnel at any given time in buildings.
- Leveraging alternate means of communication – using video-teleconferencing, teleconferencing, and abiding by physical distancing requirements while holding only mission-essential meetings.
- Communicating cleanliness – frequent washing of hands, especially before touching one’s face, wiping down common-used equipment with disinfectant wipes and community spaces.
“We are taking these preventative measures very seriously so that we can ensure that we protect the force, remain operationally engaged, and continue to support our partners in the fight against Daesh,” said Command Sergeant Major Daniel Hendrex, CJTF-OIR senior enlisted leader.
The measures have required some fundamental changes in how the Coalition acts both collectively and individually. All members of the Coalition and security partner forces are following stringent personal health protection measures such as enforcing physical distancing, hand washing, use of face coverings, and sanitization of frequent touch points such as door handles, computer keypads and phones.
“Protecting our people is our commanding general’s number one priority,” said Hendrex. “Our leadership is engaged, we are staying in communication with our partners, and we want to make sure our service members, civilians, and contractors supporting this Coalition understand why these measures are important.”
Hendrex also emphasized the need for service members to communicate with their families back home, who may be experiencing differing degrees of social separation and requirements depending on which country they are from.
“The military uniquely prepares us to be agile and adapt to uncertainty and ambiguity, but most of our families do not have that training or experience,” said Hendrex. “It’s important for our deployed service members to reach back to their loved ones, families and friends and make sure they are doing all right, understand their concerns and challenges, and share the resources that are out there to empower families to take control of the things they can do to protect themselves against this virus.”
To see in Arabic: CJTF-OIR Press Release-202004017-03-Preventing COVID-19-النسخة الع
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