NW Fla. EMF teams head to Texas

ARLINGTON, Va. - About 70 sailors from Expeditionary Medical Facility-L (Lima) deployed from Pensacola, Fla., to Texas on July 20 in support of COVID-19 response operations in civilian hospitals. One Acute Care Team (ACT) and four Rapid Rural Response Teams (RRRT) arrived as part of the pandemic response. U.S. Northern Command is leading Department of Defense’s response operations in support of federal efforts in Texas. The ACT is a tailorable package designed to support urban hospitals with medical staff to augment 50-beds of acute or non-acute care. ACT members include four physicians, four advance care practitioners, two certified RN anesthetists, 24 nurses, two pharmacy officers, two advance x-ray technicians, and six respiratory therapy technicians. The RRRTs provide targeted rapid hospital support and stabilization during peak COVID-19 patient surges, with capacity to operate ventilated patients 24/7. The RRRT consists of a critical care physician, five critical care nurses, and a respiratory therapy technician. (Source: Navy Office of Information 07/21/20) USNORTHCOM’s HQ is at Peterson AFB, Colo. 1st Air Force (Air Forces Northern) - based along the Gulf Coast at Tyndall AFB, Fla. - is one of three numbered AFs assigned to the Combat Command. 1st AF (Northern) is the designated air component for the U.S. Northern Command.