Here's how you know
 **Official websites use .mil** .mil
 **Secure .mil websites use HTTPS** lock () https://


Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 Toggle navigation
            
            
            
            
            National Guard
                        Always Ready Always There
                    National Guard
            
            Search National Guard:
                        Search
                    Search
                        Search National Guard:
                            Search
    Home

    News
    
        Guard News

    Overseas Operations

    State Partnership Program

    News Features

    RSS Feeds

    Press Releases

    Transcripts

    Features
    
        Features by Year

    Posture Statement

    State Partnership Program

    Special Features

    About the Guard
    
        How We Began

    Air National Guard

    Army National Guard    
    
        DEERS Soldier Journey

    Leader Development Program

    History and Heritage

    I am the Guard

    NGB Official March

    Leadership
    
        CNGB

    VCNGB

    SEA

    DANG

    DARNG

    Joint Staff    
    
        J-1

    J-2

    J-3

    J-4

    J-5

    J-6

    J-7

    J-8

    Personal Staff    
    
        Inspector General

    General Counsel    
    
        Special Victims Counsel

    Public Affairs

    Executive Support Services

    Legislative Liaison

    Special Staff    
    
        Office of the Provost Marshal

    Office of the Joint Surgeon

    Director of Acquisitions

    Small Business Programs

    Chaplain

    Senior Leader Management Office

    Diversity Equity Inclusion

    Comptroller

    Resources    
        National Defense Strategy Implementation Guidance

    Community Engagement

    FOIA

    Fact Sheets

    Helpful Links

    Image Gallery
    
        News Images

    Graphics

    Historical Paintings

    Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

    Legislative Liaison

    Small Business Programs

    Social Media

    State Websites

    Videos    
    
        Featured Videos

    On Every Front

    2019 Videos

    2020 Videos

    2021 Videos

    Suicide Prevention

    Family Programs

    Environmental

    Trial Defense Service

    Holistic Wellness Challenge

    Contact Us  Home
  News
  Article View
 
 Download
 Details
 Share
 NEWS
 104th Fighter Wing supports COVID-19 testing task force By Randall Burlingame,
                104th Fighter Wing/Public Affairs
 BARNES AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Mass. – Fourteen members of the 104th Fighter Wing were activated to support Task Force Maher and help test students and school staff for COVID-19. Task Force Maher is a joint Air and Army National Guard medical mission that established teams to help with COVID-19 testing in 12 Massachusetts school districts. Members are on standby, remaining flexible to support the community. This is not the first time the 104FW has supported the commonwealth in response to COVID-19. Members of the 104th Medical Group were activated to work in long-term care facilities in April 2020, and members were activated a second time in December. The second activation started as long-term care facility support and turned into a vaccination mission once a vaccine was available. Senior Master Sgt. Karla Belliveau, 104MDG superintendent of nursing services, served as the liaison officer for the task force and was responsible for communication between the task force and members of the 104FW and helping the Airmen with any problems that might arise. She said these community support missions have shown how the Air and Army National Guard come together to make a significant impact on lives. “Some school districts did not have the resources to conduct all the testing that was needed,” said Belliveau. “It was very natural for Governor Baker to look to the National Guard for help during this crisis, and once again, we answered the call.” The 104FW Airmen assigned to the current mission are not all medical personnel, though some are. They have professions on base that include logistics, maintenance, public affairs and security forces. “This activation has been an incredible opportunity for me to directly interact with the community in which I serve,” said Staff Sgt. Hanna Smith, 104FW public affairs specialist. “It has been a chance for me to operate outside my direct career field and employ new skills that not only help me grow as a leader and Guardsman but also help the children in my community continue in-person learning with their peers. That’s one of the best parts of being a Guardsman: being able to serve the community in which I live.” Belliveau said 24,957 tests had been conducted at Air National Guard testing sites, with a total of 38,376 tests as of Nov. 21. Seven of the 14 volunteers from the 104FW are junior enlisted members. Belliveau said helping the community directly at schools means a great deal to her, and the past two years of service have been the highlight of her career, especially because she is a teacher when she is not on orders with the Air National Guard. “I cannot express to you how profound of an impact these last two years have had on me with the culmination of all we have done, going into schools and providing a service to protect our young people,” she said.
 SHARE
 PRINT
 How the National Guard is helping
 Massachusetts National Guard
 COVID-19
 
 Massachusetts National Guard combat medic vaccinates his mom
 By Sgt. 1st Class Laura Berry
  Massachusetts Guard’s Kilo Team administers COVID vaccine
 By Sgt. 1st Class Laura Berry
  Massachusetts military forces join to administer vaccine
 By Timothy Sandland
  More
 Tennessee Guard Rescues Hiker in Great Smoky Mountains Park Guard News • 2 hours ago
 Champions Repeat at NH National Guard Marksmanship Match Guard News • yesterday
 West Virginia Air National Guard Wing Conducts ’Super Drill’ Guard News • yesterday
 Idaho Medical Airmen Train in Field to Boost Readiness Guard News • yesterday
 Alaska Air National Guard rescues 6 plane crash victims Guard News • yesterday
 2024 (189)  2023 (427)  2022 (526)  2021 (697)  2020 (936)  2019 (387)  2018 (323)  2017 (346)  2016 (245)  2015 (356)  2014 (399)  2013 (469)  2012 (556)  2011 (533)  2010 (1071)  2009 (357)  2008 (638)  2007 (295)  2006 (188)
 Home
 Site Map
 Privacy & Security Policy
 Link Disclaimer
 Web Policy
 DOD Information Quality
 DOD Open GovernmentFOIA
 No FEAR Act
 Accessibility/Section 508
 Contact Us
 Army Guard Careers
 Air Guard Careers
 USA.gov
                    
Staying Connected
    XYouTubeFlickrFacebookInstagram
                 
                
                

Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil