President Donald Trump has announced authorization of deployment of the National Guard in New York and California, adding that the federal government would pick up the entire tab for the crisis.
Generally, the federal government pays for 75 percent of the cost while states must assume 25 percent of the cost. In making the announcement, President Trump said by paying the entire amount, states like California and New York, hard hit by the coronavirus, would be free to use the Guard as necessary.
Meanwhile, personnel attached to the Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos are walking a tightrope of sorts, as they comply with Gov. Newsom’s various isolation orders and simultaneously prepare to serve the state if called up by the Governor.
According to Col. Richard Lalor, Public Affairs Officer for the base, JFTB has thus far implemented enhanced security precautions for anyone entering the base. In addition, they have been “put on alert” by Major General David Baldwin, the state’s adjutant general of the California National Guard.
Lalor said anyone entering the base is now being questioned about any recent travel and other personal health symptoms, but he said the base has not yet begun taking temperatures or imposing more draconian measures at the points of base entry.
Also, he said service members are practicing social distancing and the base canteen, Fiddler’s Green, is limiting food orders to take out only, as per the Governor’s order.
All students from the Sunburst Youth Academy and other programs have been sent home.
General Michael Leeney, base commander of JFTB, has instructed personnel attached to the base to “stay calm but carry on,” said Lalor.
Although the Guard has been activated to perform “humanitarian missions” in northern California, no such orders have yet been given to the base or units in southern California.
The massive facility in Los Alamitos has one of the largest working airfields in the western United States, and is a lynchpin for the state when moving massive amounts of goods and equipment.
During wildfires, earthquakes and overseas deployments, the state has called upon JFTB to move personnel, equipment and supplies.
A global pandemic, thus far, has demanded different military assets but Lalor says Gen. Leeney and the base are ready if called upon to serve the citizens of the state.
Following guidelines from state and federal officials to help flatten the COVID-19 curve, Joint Forces Training Base is making adjustments to some installation services until further notice.
Here is the latest operating information regarding base facilities:
• The Troop Store is open and operating with normal hours.
• The pool is open, however all lap swim sessions are canceled. User groups are limited in size.
• The fitness center is open. Users are encouraged to use good hygiene techniques including wiping down surfaces before and after equipment use.
• The Pub at Fiddlers Green is shortening hours but remains open, for take-out service only, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Billeting is open, however front desk hours are shortened to 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. An after-hours phone number is posted at the front desk.
• The Sunset RV Park remains open.
