Arizona has called on the National Guard to aid in a different way than you’d expect. Usually, The National Guard helps with Emergencies like flooding and hurricanes on top of their other duties. But this time Arizona is using The National Guard to helping keep overburdened grocery stores stocked.
“Arizona’s National Guard is currently battling the coronavirus outbreak by helping to fill grocery stores, Gov. Doug Ducey said Monday.
“We bring specific capabilities to the table to help solve the problems,” said US Army Brig. Gen. John Hoefert, Arizona National Guard Joint Commander. “Our guardsmen are going to be on the backloading docks behind the stores, you might see them out on the freeways.”.
“(They’re) doing a quick medical screen just to make sure they haven’t been traveling out of the country and things like that,” Major Aaron Thacker said. “They’re also receiving guidance on conduct and things like that like remember, this is a domestic environment, this is how we engage the public this is how we deal with things if problems arise.”
“The Arizona National Guard will have 700 citizen-soldiers and airmen helping in different phases starting Monday. “It’s important that the people of Arizona know that we are here for them, we are from their communities, we are members of these communities. We’re neighbors, brothers, sisters, cousins, teachers. We just put on a different uniform to go out and conduct these critical missions,” said Major Aaron Thacker.”
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This is definitely a creative use of the National Guard and I am sure it will go a long way in helping to keep people better supplied, especially those who did not panic-buy when the virus hit the U.S.
dan
WTG AZ. That’s a great idea. More states need to do so.