An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News
NEWS | June 18, 2020

167th Airlift Wing recommences UTA

By Staff Sgt. Timothy Sencindiver 167AW

Airmen returned to base for the first unit training assembly in two months after regularly-scheduled training events were cancelled in April and May because of COVID-19 precautions.

Airmen are using telework, staggered schedules, homemade masks, social distancing, and plexi-glass barriers to defend themselves from the virus.
Col. Marty Timko, 167th Airlift Wing Commander decided to resume unit training assemblies through the use of the many safety precautions.

“While the pandemic has changed many daily activities all around us, our readiness and commitment to the mission remains the same as we serve both state and the nation. Allowing more of our members access to the base to conduct readiness requirements and training has been done in a methodical way to lower the risk and expand our daily operations,” said Timko.

As part of that methodology, temperature checks and a quick health assessment at the gate have now become routine procedure. In addition, the 167th Medical Group offered COVID-19 swab tests to Airmen all four days and will continue to offer them through the summer.

More than 250 tests were administered over June drill. The 167th Medical Group was receiving results from those tests within 24 hours.

“COVID-19 has changed the way we conduct our day-to-day operations, however the wing is still accomplishing our medical mission requirements,” said Master Sgt. Jennifer Cooper, 167th Medical Group noncommissioned officer in charge of public health.

The 167th Operations Group is also accomplishing aircrew training and mission requirements. The June UTA provided an opportunity for some aircrew to resume their simulator training.

Capt. Kevin Rudisill, 167th operations group aircrew scheduler and C-17 pilot said extra steps were necessary to resume training in the simulator.

“In order to maintain our operational readiness and our currency and crew qualifications we followed the CDC (Center for Disease Control) guidelines for cleanliness and reopened the simulator, working with the [simulator] staff to have the safest way to train our aircrews,” said Rudisill.

Safety was also a priority in the planning of large group gatherings which utilized chair spacing, plastic barriers, and online meeting forums to facilitate ceremonies, drug testing, discussions, and meetings.

Several recognition events took place with limited audience size for social distancing requirements. To adapt, the public affairs office live-streamed the events so Airmen could participate, whether they were on base or working from home.

“Our office took the challenges presented by COVID-19 and adapted to best serve our wing,” said chief of public affairs Capt. Stacy Gault. “The live-stream also presented a new training opportunity for my team and I hope every function is looking for the silver linings in our adapted operations.”

Image Gallery
Clear Filters | 1 - 20 of 1234 results
Video by Sgt. Cheryl Madolev, Staff Sgt. Mickey Miller, Sgt. Davis Rohrer
WVNG Best Warrior Competition 2024 Video
153rd Public Affairs Detachment
March 19, 2024 | 4:11
Soldiers and Airmen from the West Virginia and District of Columbia National Guard compete in the West Virginia National Guard Best Warrior Competition held April 19-21, 2024, at Camp Dawson in Kingwood, West Virginia. Best Warrior is an annual event where participants compete in a series of warrior training tasks including weapons proficiency on the M4 rifle, 9mm pistol, land navigation, physical fitness, combat first aid, tactical movements, communications, and professional development activities. Photos by 153rd Public Affairs Det., WVARNG
More