Air National Guard supporting coronavirus alternate housing

Airmen from the Illinois Air National Guard’s 182nd Airlift Wing prepare personal hygiene kits while serving in a logistics support role at an alternate care facility for COVID-19 patients. Airmen from the Illinois Air National Guard’s 182nd Airlift Wing prepare personal hygiene kits while serving in a logistics support role at an alternate care facility for COVID-19 patients. Photo: Todd A. Pendleton | Air National Guard Photo: Todd A. Pendleton | Air National Guard Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Air National Guard supporting coronavirus alternate housing 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

About 20 members of the three Illinois Air National Guard wings are establishing alternate housing facilities for those who test positive for COVID-19 or are awaiting test results and cannot quarantine at home.

The facilities are in Springfield, Schaumburg and Mount Vernon. They are being managed by the Illinois Department of Human Services to accommodate those who test positive or cannot be at home because of the risk of exposing family members or others.

The mission of the airmen includes receiving personal protective equipment and monitoring its use to forecast future needs. In addition to handling logistical support of staff at the facility, the airmen will provide support to residents who are quarantined and unable to leave their rooms.

The airmen will also be responsible for cleaning the facilities, removing trash and delivering food to those being quarantined.

Master Sgt. Richard Hembrough of Jacksonville of the Springfield-based 183rd Air Wing, said his team traveled to its assigned alternate housing site Thursday to begin unloading supplies and working with the staff.

“We plan on working behind the scenes, providing logistical support and serving as runners for any needs the staff have. We do not expect any face-to-face contact with residents,” Hembrough said.

There are more than 650 Illinois National Guard soldiers and airmen on active duty supporting the state’s COVID-19 response. They are assisting with logistics and medical planning at two state operations centers, supporting operations at three community-based test sites, providing medical support at two prisons, and building and supporting a temporary medical facility at McCormick Place.