Forty days after Air Mobility Command commander Gen. Maryanne Miller activated the commander's battle staff, a small but dedicated group of experts continue to work tirelessly around-the-clock at Scott Air Force Base, overseeing AMC's contribution to the Defense Department's operations in the COVID-19 pandemic fight and arming Airmen with clear guidance on how to execute operations safely and effectively.
"We've been sprinting since Gen. Miller activated our CBS on March 4," said Maj. Gen. Samuel Mahaney, AMC chief of staff. "With clear instruction to provide a single, 24/7 cell of experts who can ensure uninterrupted rapid global mobility amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, these experts have produced more than 40 battle-staff directives that offer guidance to our Airmen on everything from aircraft decontamination to patient movement to timely reporting of COVID-19 cases on our installations. With masks donned, these unsung heroes inside the CBS have toiled around-the-clock to ensure we continue to help those in need during these difficult times."
Under Mahaney's direction and led by a colonel director, the CBS is comprised of civilian and military experts from across the headquarters staff, representing an array of specialties such as medical, logistics, operations, public affairs, security and liaisons from AMC's 618th Air Operations Center, to name a few. This collaborative team has provided expertise, networking, and unique perspectives to solving problems, answering urgent tasks and disseminating time-critical information.
Early on, the CBS anticipated a shift toward virtual operations. When the governor of Illinois announced a state-wide shelter-in-place, March 20, the team was already postured for the shift.
"Once Scott (AFB) followed suit by implementing reduced-manning operations, the CBS adjusted accordingly to protect the mission-essential personnel who continue to maintain a physical presence in work centers," said Col. John Platte, one of the first CBS directors to lead daily operations. "To remain connected while abiding by social-distancing procedures, we've done whatever necessary to maintain robust communications across the battle staff and headquarters while keeping our people safe, to include staggered shifts and utilizing teleconference calls, collaboration platforms and other technology."
