U.S. European Command Sustains COVID-19 Support and Operational Readiness
U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) remains steadfast in support of its Allies and partners fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, providing critically-needed, equipment and supplies. Maintaining a high level of readiness during the outbreak is paramount as USEUCOM exercises demonstrate strength and cooperation, enhancing regional stability, and operational readiness.
Over the past month, USEUCOM’s Overseas Humanitarian, Disaster, and Civic Aid (OHDACA) program has already provided over $100,000 of medical protective equipment and supplies to Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Lithuania, Moldova, Montenegro, and North Macedonia, NATO’s newest member, to help fill immediate humanitarian needs. The command is also processing over $400,000 in additional quick impact donations to other Allies and partners that will be delivered in the next month throughout Eastern Europe and the Trans Caucus region.
“Our operational readiness and interoperability require USEUCOM to continue to foster our European partnerships,” said U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Jessica Meyeraan, U.S. European Command’s deputy director of partnering, security cooperation and missile defense. “These partnerships enhance our ability to deliver a rapid and unified response to medical, planning, and logistical requirements alongside our Allies and partners.”
In just the past week, the command has come to the aid of three European Allied and partner nations, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro and Moldova.
- USEUCOM provided Bosnia-Herzegovina critical medical supplies funded through the OHDACA.
- USEUCOM provided critical medical supplies to the Montenegro, including three patient monitors, 210 infusion sets and an infusion pump.
- USEUCOM provided humanitarian assistance to European partner Moldova. U.S. Ambassador Hogan met with Interior Minister Panel Voicu to donate equipment they will use to fight the virus.
The Illinois National Guard and USEUCOM’s State Partnership Program (SPP) coordinated a nine-member Polish military medical team support visit to Chicago, Illinois to assist healthcare professionals battling COVID-19.
USEUCOM’s ability to conduct military operations remains consistently strong despite the pandemic. This week, naval exercises took place with Allies in Albania and with the French naval air forces in the Bay of Biscay.
- USS Porter conducted air defense exercises with the French navy Rafale-M fighter aircraft in the Bay of Biscay. Porter, forward-deployed to Naval Station Rota, Spain, is conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe.
- The “Ghostriders” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) participated in a nighttime aerial gunnery exercise with Albanian allied forces in Bizë. HSC 28, Det 1, Stationed at Naval Support Activity Naples, Italy, flew from Naples across the Adriatic Sea to Bizë to facilitate public relations between the two nations and militaries.
USEUCOM is committed to its NATO Allies and partners and stands ready to support the fight against COVID-19, while maintaining readiness and deterrence at all times. For more information about USEUCOM’s role in combating COVID-19, visit https://www.eucom.mil/coronavirus.
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