WEBVTT 00:06.690 --> 00:08.650 - To members of the a 129th Rescue Wing. 00:08.650 --> 00:10.483 It is the first week of December. 00:10.483 --> 00:12.964 And let me begin on a high note. 00:12.964 --> 00:15.630 As I said, in my written holiday message 00:15.630 --> 00:18.500 2020 has been a remarkably successful year 00:18.500 --> 00:21.260 for our organization with very high ops tempo 00:21.260 --> 00:22.700 in a very challenging environment. 00:22.700 --> 00:26.540 We've been doing a lot 00:26.540 --> 00:28.790 n the domopsphere 00:28.790 --> 00:31.090 and also in our training regimen 00:31.090 --> 00:35.278 getting ready for overseas deployments. 00:35.278 --> 00:39.910 But there is an alarming development 00:39.910 --> 00:42.070 that has taken place over the last three weeks. 00:42.070 --> 00:44.910 Everybody, the wing needs to be aware of. 00:44.910 --> 00:47.660 After having just a very small 00:47.660 --> 00:52.660 number of positive COVID cases in our organization 00:54.200 --> 00:56.170 we've had seen a five fold increase 00:56.170 --> 00:58.930 in the total number just in the last three weeks. 00:58.930 --> 01:01.210 And I learn of a new positive case every day 01:01.210 --> 01:02.390 that mirrors what's happening 01:02.390 --> 01:04.690 in the nation with a COVID surge, 01:04.690 --> 01:08.880 but it is alarming for us. 01:08.880 --> 01:12.500 And so I wanna take this opportunity to reemphasize 01:12.500 --> 01:15.150 to everyone COVID control measures. 01:15.150 --> 01:18.200 So social distancing, mask wear, hand-washing 01:18.200 --> 01:21.670 and if you need to gather in any large groups 01:21.670 --> 01:25.260 do it outside to the max extent possible. 01:25.260 --> 01:28.170 And we certainly have adjusted 01:28.170 --> 01:32.690 our full-time and our drill schedule tempo 01:34.780 --> 01:36.490 with teleworking and that sort of thing, 01:36.490 --> 01:41.360 and use of Teams to lower 01:41.360 --> 01:43.453 the risk of COVID to our organization. 01:44.700 --> 01:46.990 I want to re-emphasize this 01:46.990 --> 01:50.500 out of concern for you and your families 01:50.500 --> 01:54.490 but also our mission is to present 01:54.490 --> 01:58.760 combat capability to to the national leadership team 01:58.760 --> 02:01.380 and domestic operations capability of the governor. 02:01.380 --> 02:03.350 And when we lose people 02:03.350 --> 02:07.110 to a COVID related isolation or quarantine 02:08.311 --> 02:11.323 that complicates our ability to present mission capability. 02:12.370 --> 02:13.964 So don't be the guy 02:13.964 --> 02:17.800 that slows us down because 02:17.800 --> 02:20.940 you brought COVID onto the onto the base 02:20.940 --> 02:22.790 or had to take yourself out 02:22.790 --> 02:27.790 because you made some unwise decisions perhaps at home. 02:28.340 --> 02:30.900 So again, make those control measures 02:30.900 --> 02:35.350 at the forefront of how you operate 02:35.350 --> 02:39.143 both here on duty and at home with your friends and family. 02:40.764 --> 02:44.763 And that said also returning to my holiday message. 02:45.630 --> 02:47.470 It is December. 02:47.470 --> 02:49.840 So Merry Christmas to everyone 02:49.840 --> 02:51.890 and happy new year 02:51.890 --> 02:56.280 and the holidays should be a festive time for us all. 02:56.280 --> 02:58.770 But unfortunately for many 02:58.770 --> 03:02.020 or for some of us many over time, 03:02.020 --> 03:04.490 the holidays can open up an old wound, 03:04.490 --> 03:06.580 or if we've experienced recent loss 03:06.580 --> 03:08.280 make that last scene that much more bitter. 03:08.280 --> 03:11.090 So the holidays can be a stressful time. 03:11.090 --> 03:12.840 Certainly for individuals. 03:12.840 --> 03:13.700 I acknowledge that. 03:13.700 --> 03:17.810 And if this is one of those times for you of 2020 03:17.810 --> 03:18.810 and all the challenges 03:18.810 --> 03:21.060 make the holidays just that much more difficult 03:21.060 --> 03:22.360 and you're feeling unusually stressed 03:22.360 --> 03:24.470 reach out to your leadership, please, 03:24.470 --> 03:26.280 and be aware that we have a 03:27.130 --> 03:29.420 resiliency team here on base 03:29.420 --> 03:32.360 with the director of psychological health, 03:32.360 --> 03:35.680 the DPH, our chaplains core, 03:35.680 --> 03:38.120 the SARC airman and family readiness 03:38.120 --> 03:41.330 and even EEO are available to you. 03:41.330 --> 03:43.470 And they bring a wealth of resources 03:43.470 --> 03:44.600 and a tremendous knowledge 03:44.600 --> 03:48.513 that could be helpful for you in this time. 03:49.610 --> 03:51.210 And so with that said again 03:51.210 --> 03:54.863 happy holidays and take care.