Altus AFB COVID-19 Info

CURRENT SITUATION

Altus Air Force Base leaders have announced the transition from Health Protection (HPCON) CHARLIE to HPCON BRAVO Friday, May 29, 2020.

The base's announcement closely aligns with Governor Kevin Stitt's "Open Up and Recover Safely (OURS) Plan." When transitioning from each level, the criteria considered includes the downward trend of regional COVID-19 cases with no evidence of a resurgence.

The following document supersedes a majority of current policies: 97 AMW COVID-19 Policies Directives 09 December 2020 . The memorandum's attachments can be found under the resources tab on the right.

“Team - Our mission is to Train Exceptional Mobility Airmen and that has not changed. However, your leadership team is also very focused on maintaining our Military Readiness and Ensuring the Safety of our Airmen and Families. The recent stop movement order has no doubt impacted you or your family’s plans, but from someone who is very focused on protecting you, your family and our community, this order is a welcome and important tool in our efforts to reduce movement and thus decrease the chances of additional exposure to the COVID-19 virus. I’m confident that if we all act responsibly and follow basic health guidance, we will get through these challenging times. We will continue to push information out as fast as we get it. If you have any questions about our current guidance, please engage your chain of command. If you have questions about COVID-19, please visit www.cdc.gov/COVID19. Remember: Stay calm, stay clean, and be responsible.”

-Col Matthew Leard, 97th AMW commander

IMPORTANT MESSAGES AND FAQS

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I'M EXPERIENCING FLU-LIKE SYMPTOMS?
If you are a Military Member or Spouse experiencing *flu-like symptoms, you may expect the following precautionary measures during your visit at the 97th Medical Group.

Civilian members should visit their doctor or local hospital, but should call ahead for local procedures.

If you have an appointment or need to see a medical professional, you are urged to call ahead of time for any local procedures.

Before seeking care, call ahead to the after-hours 97 MDG Health Care Provide Advice line at 580-649-5809.

In the spirit of social distancing, there will be limited routine visits in order to maximize the abilities to treat sick patients till the end of the month. Please re-schedule all non-acute visits at 481-5235.

Upon entering the MDG you will be asked the following:

1.     Have you traveled outside of Oklahoma or the Altus area in the past 14 days?

2.     Have you been in close contact with a person who has confirmed positive COVID-19 infection or someone who is currently being tested for COVID-19?

3.     Have you yourself received a COVID-19 test?

See Section 7, COVID-19 Self Reporting, on the 97 AMW COVID-19 Policies and Directives above for more information.
WHAT IS THE CURRENT TRAVEL STATUS?
See Section 2, Leave and Pass Travel, on the 97 AMW COVID-19 Policies and Directives above for more information.
WHAT IS THE CURRENT FACILITY AND GATHERING POLICY?
See Section 5, Gathering Limitations, on the 97 AMW COVID-19 Policies and Directives above for more information.

Update as of 28 August 2020- All Altus AFB Military personnel are permitted to dine in at restaurants that are in compliance with Oklahoma Open Up and Recover Safely plan requirements for social distancing or sanitation. Personnel are expected to leave any restaurant that is not following social distancing and sanitation requirements. Personnel are also permitted to utilize restaurants' drive-through services, but should utilize heightened hand hygiene procedures when doing so.
Am I STILL able to GET ON BASE?
Effective 1600L on April 17,2020 Altus AFB is open to all personnel with base access.

Current long-term visitor passes will continue to be honored. Current short-term visitor passes will be invalid as of 5 April 2020 at 1700L, unless an exception to policy is granted by the host’s squadron commander. All future visitor pass requests will be assessed and approved by the squadron commander in a manner consistent with the intent of this policy.

As you enter the gate, please hold onto your ID card and show the back barcode to the Security Forces Defender. He or she will scan your ID card and allow entrance onto the installation.

Members will be checking temperatures and performed medical evaluations for those entering base through the Main Gate.

These new procedures will help reduce the amount of contact between one another. As always, please follow the Defenders' instructions.
WHAT are good health practices?
See Section 8, The Big Three, on the 97 AMW COVID-19 Policies and Directives above for more information.
WHAT ARE THE AFFECTED FACILITIES?
ALL FACILITIES
- Units throughout the wing were previously directed to reduce the number of individuals reporting in-person to work on a daily basis to the minimum necessary to maintain mission. operations. Ample risk mitigation measures are in effect throughout the base to prevent community spread on the installation; therefore, it is appropriate to return the workforce to normal operations on Altus AFB. Beginning 20 April 2020, all units began incrementally bringing all individuals back to work on the installation. Units shall have all personnel back in normal duty status no later than 4 May 2020.
- Military personnel will remain on stand-by and/or telework status until brought back into normal duty status. Civilian employees will continue to telework or remain on Weather/Safety Leave when no other leave status is more appropriate for the individual situation, until brought back into normal duty status. Weather/Safety Leave is no longer authorized for COVID-19, effective 4 May 2020.
A&FRC
- Has returned to normal operatoins.
BASE EXCHANGE
- Shoppette: hours remain the same
- The Main Exchange: is operating currently from 9:00 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday- Friday and 10:00 a.m. - 6 p.m. on Sunday. The use of the fitting rooms are currently suspended.
- Wild Brew Yonder: under normal operations.
- Altus Barber Shop: Open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00p.m.
BASE THEATER
- The theater is limited to 50 attendees, customers can stop by the FCC to pick up “tickets”
BOWLING ALLEY
- Lanes open Friday 2:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. and normal hours Saturday and Sunday, 4 customers per lane (exceptions for families, limited to every other lane use
CHAPEL
- To benefit from this opportunity, we need each attendee to honor the following “Big 3” rules:
- Remain 6-feet apart or wear mask when unable; **Please bring a mask for each individual**
- Clean hands plus avoid common areas & touching your face
- Stay home if you don’t feel well.
- To further prevent possible contamination, the following safeguard will be taken:
  - Electronic Offerings *only* (no cash)
  - Communion (when offered) will be served by sanitary individual kits by a masked rep. with washed, gloved hands
  - No Nursery or Children’s Church (in keeping with OK Safe Open Plan Phases 1 & 2)
  - No mingling before, during or after worship
  - No bulletins or hymnals (Slides Only)
  - No bibles (Bring own or use Smartphone App)
CHARLIE’S
- Open but following gathering limitations. Call to reserve a time for your party.
COMMISSARY
- The base has imposed purchase limits on certain food/consumable items at the commissary. The following items will be limited to two of each per family: Fresh/Frozen Chicken, Pork, Beefs and eggs.
- There will be 100% I.D. card checks at the entrance of all stores and no visitors will be allowed entrance. There will be no more "early bird" shopping hours to allow more time for cleaning and re-stocking of our stores.
- Starting March 26, the commissary will has senior shopping hours from 2 p.m.-3 p.m.
EDUCATION CENTER
- Facility is taking appointments by telephone consults only.
FCC
- No ticket services, playground is closed and escape room is closed.
FINANCE CUSTOMER SERVICE
- Has returned to normal operations, walk in hours are Monday - Friday 0830-1600
FITNESS CENTER
- Active Duty: M-F 5a.m.-8p.m., Civilian personnel M-F 5a.m. 6 a.m., 8a.m. 8p.m., Saturday and Sunday for everyone 8a.m. -6 p.m.
HANGAR 97
- Hangar 97 will remain open to base personnel for carry out, dine in and grab-and go options.
- Went to single point entry and customers must wash hands before entering or service will be denied. The salad bar is closed to eliminate customer touch points so only pre-made salads are available. Soups and hot cereals have been moved to main line to eliminate customer touch points. Drink refills are not authorized.
JUDGE ADVOCATE
- Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (580)481-7294/ DSN 866-7294, 97amw.ja@us.af.mil
- Services Provided:
  - Commanders & Mission Support - full spectrum
  - Legal assistance - telephonic
  - Wills drafting - telephonic/email
  - WIlls execution - only for deployers and exigent circumstances *
  - Notary services - only for deployers and exigent circumstances *
  - *Exigent circumstances include having a heightened risk for COVID-19 morbidity
LIBRARY
- Open for public browsing and curbside are both available
- Customers can access the online database and call the library to place orders, located here
- Information will be available on the Library and FSS Facebook pages
MEDICAL GROUP
- See the module labeled “97TH MEDICAL GROUP TEMPORARY CHANGES.”
OUTDOOR RECREATION
- Normal operations
PERSONNEL FLIGHTS
- Military Personnel Flight: Walk ins are accepted for CAC/ID and DEERS appointments.
- Civilian Personnel: appointment only.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS
- No Walk-in services until further notice, except in case of emergencies. All scheduled studio appointments are for essential or time sensitive reasons only. A public affairs representative can be reached by phone at (580)481-7700 or by email at 97amw.pa@us.af.mil. Please follow the Altus Air Force Base Facebook page for the most up-to-date information.
YOUTH CENTER
- Open rec. during this time. All patrons including children must wear a mask covering their nose and chin.
WINDY TRAILS GOLF COURSE
- Normal operations.
Where can i find information from leadership?
March 15, 2020 Commander Update: Part one click here & Part two click here

March 19, 2020 Commander Update: Click here

March 22, 2020 Commander Update: Click here

March 30, 2020 Commander Update: Click here

April 2, 2020 Commander Update: Click here

April 5, 2020 Commander Update: Click here

April 7, 2020 Commander Update: Click here

April 19, 2020 Commander Update: Click here

May 3, 2020 Commander Update: Click here

May 20, 2020 Commander Update: Click here

May 28, 2020 Commander Update: Click here

July 1, 2020 Commander Update: Click here

July 20, 2020 Commander Update: Click here

August 13, 2020 Commander Update: Click here

September 2, 2020 Commander Update: Click here
Where can i find information on face masks?
On 8 April 2020, the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness published supplemental Force Health Protection Guidance. Pursuant to this order, to the maximum extent practical, all individuals on Altus AFB are required to wear cloth face coverings when they cannot maintain six feet of social distance in public ·areas or work centers. The Commissary and BX are public areas in which individuals inherently cannot maintain six feet of social distance; therefore, cloth face coverings are required to be worn by all individuals in those facilities.

Cloth face coverings shall extend above the nose without interfering with eyewear, and below the chin to cover the mouth and nostrils completely. It shall fit snugly but comfortably against the sides of the face and be secured (e.g., by being tied in place or with ear-loops). Cloth face coverings shall be laundered regularly to maintain good hygiene. Military personnel should wear cloth face coverings that are neutral in color.

For additional guidance regarding acceptable cloth face coverings and for exception to policy procedures.

CDC Guidelines:

Recommendation Regarding the Use of Cloth Face Coverings

Cloth Face Coverings: Questions and Answers

Use of Cloth Face Coverings to Help Slow the Spread of COVID-19

Commercial Virtual Remote teleworking

CVR (Commercial Virtual Remote) is now available as part of the DoD wide collaboration initiative to augment telework capabilities. This system enables collaboration across the enterprise and is Microsoft TEAMS based. This is a temporary capability that is meant for the duration of the COVID-19 Crises and is set to sunset post pandemic/fall 2020. This commercially based DISA program is approved for data dissemination at IL4 (FOUO & below), enables file sharing (instant chat, video, and voice conferencing).

USAF Commercial Virtual Remote (CVR) Environment

Air Force Telework Capabilities

To start, all personnel need to login into milconnect (https://milconnect.dmdc.osd.mil/milconnect/) and update their email addresses to reflect their “.mil” account. Once their email addresses has been updated, they will receive a welcome email in their outlook account with further steps. The welcome email will contain an active link that will activate their accounts and enable teleworking capabilities outside vPN limitations.

CS has created a tab entitled “Telework Resources,” which contains all approved telework options on the wing SharePoint site (https://usaf.dps.mil/sites/aetc-alt-97amw/SitePages/Home.aspx) and features CVR FAQ, account creation guide, sample enrollment email.

Please note that personnel have 14 days to ACTIVATE their account before it will be recycled to the end of the que for the entire DoD. Attached is a sample info flyer for public dissemination.