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 as they must prepare to serve the state if called up by the Governor.
According to Col. Richard Lalor, Public Affairs Officer for the base, the base 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.
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 is ready if called upon to serve the citizens of the state.
