COVID-19 challenges everyone including Grissom Published March 16, 2020 By Col. Larry Shaw 434th ARW commander GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- Team Grissom -- you know I don’t mince words normally so I’m not going to start now.The Coronavirus Disease is unfolding rapidly and there are some key things you need to know.Our leaders met this morning to discuss plans, issues, and to interpret guidance coming down from the Department of Defense.Bottom line up front, here’s what you need to know:-- If you are sick. Stay home.I’m serious about that. Call your doctor and follow their directions.-- Use good hygiene practices -- wash your hands, exercise proper sneeze and cough protocols and social distancing.We all earn leave and even if you don’t have enough there are options for advanced leave. We will work with you.The alternate March unit training assembly is cancelled.We’ll be very liberal in rescheduling or excusing the absence.The April UTA is on for now. However, we will also be very liberal in authorizing reschedules or excusals.We have a mission to do, and that must continue so you must seek approval through your squadron chain of command to reschedule.Mission essential activities will continue.For our full-time force, we’ve been fielding many questions about telework opportunities.Again, we’re being as liberal as we can on those policies, but there are requirements involved that must legally be followed. They are:Units should first identify the civilian positions that are, or can be, telework eligible.Next, units should determine if employees in telework ready positions have opted to telework (either regularly or on an ad hoc basis).If so, they must have a current signed DD Form 2946, a telework agreement, and have completed all required training.The training can be found at the telework.gov site.Supervisor’s approving telework must also have completed training.It is important that when all the telework requirements are met that civilian personnel receive copies.You can always get the latest policies and messaging from the Air Force by following the COVID-19 page here: https://www.af.mil/News/Coronavirus-Disease-2019/Our own webpage is updated as well and can be found at: https://www.grissom.afrc.af.mil/We will also share relevant information via FaceBook at:https://www.facebook.com/434ARW/Stay connected, stay in touch, stay informed and if sick -- please stay home.The 434th ARW is the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command. The Citizen Airmen from the Hoosier Wing routinely deploy around the world in support of the Air Force mission.Stay connected with the 434th ARW on Facebook and Twitter.
