Task Force Garmisch Battle the Spread of COVID-19

Photo By Warrant Officer Patrik Orcutt | Sergeant 1st Class Butler screens an individual at the main gate of Artillery Barracks at Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany April 9, 2020. Over the past few weeks, a rotating group of soldiers from Hohenfles training area has helped lessen the spread of COVID-19. The Timberwolves team along with other solders have made up the bulk of the task force operating between Sheridan and Artillery barracks.  

GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN, BAYERN, GERMANY

04.09.2020

Story by Sgt. Patrik Orcutt 

Joint Multinational Readiness Center

GARMISCH, Germany- Over the past few weeks, a rotating group of soldiers from Hohenfels Training Area has helped in the battle to decrease the spread of COVID-19 in Garmisch, Germany. The Timberwolves team along with other solders have made up the bulk of the task force operating between Sheridan and Artillery barracks. The task force has worked on everything from screening at the gate to TRACE screening.

“I belong to Task Force Garmisch under the JMRC Task Force, and we are supporting USAG Bavaria- Garmisch in their efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Germany and the Garmisch-Partenkirchen area specifically,” said US Army Capt.. Thomas Johnston, the officer in charge on the ground for the Task Force from April 1-8. “We are also assisting the decisive operation, the medical community, through the initial screening of personnel.”

Johnston adds that one of the ways to stop the spread of COVID-19 is to screen people who are coming onto any military installation. This process means that some JMRC Soldiers helping by doing gate guard.

”We are the first line of defense and the first screening that happens for individuals coming on the post. We ask them a few questions and if they say yes to any of them they have to go to the second screening,” said Sgt Meagan Mooney, a JMRC Soldier who is currently on a gate guard detail.

Back in Hohenfels Mooney is part of the Vipers Combat Camera team, but is currently working outside her MOS to help stop COVID-19 which is a task she finds rewarding.

“I think what we are doing here is helping lessen the spread of COVID, it helps the individuals who are being screened know that we are providing a response to the epidemic and it lets other people know that this is a serious situation,” said Mooney.

Additionally, members of the Task Force along with Garmisch staff received TRACE medical training to help build up the installation's response to any possible outbreaks. The training was done over VTC and lead by Mata’a Masaga, the Public Health Nurse for Garmisch.

With Garmisch being such a small installation, the increased manpower from Hohenfels is helping keep the base clean and safe.

“If they were not here, we would not have the personal to meet this mission. Without the task force here the mission would not be able to be completed at standard,” said Sonny Zarecki, the plans and operations specialist in Garmisch.

With the restrictions the Bavarian government has placed on communities and cities until April 19, Task Force Garmisch will continue to support this operation until it is determined by both the greater medical community and higher headquarter that conditions are once again stable for this population.

• Date Taken: 04.09.2020
• Date Posted: 04.10.2020 08:15
• Story ID: 366937
• Location: GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN, BAYERN, DE