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DoD helps through COVID-19 mission in CNMI
Preparations are underway to strengthen the capability of Kanoa Resort in Susupe as an alternate care site with help from the seven-member team of the Task Force-West, led by Col. Voris McBurnette, brigade commander of the U.S. Army Pacific Support Unit.
The primary purpose of the visit is to refine the planning details for the potential arrival of a larger contingent of U.S. Department of Defense forces to staff and augment the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp.’s medical capability at the CNMI’s Alternate Care Site at Kanoa Resort, in support of the Commonwealth’s COVID-19 response.
According to DoD public affairs specialist Brad Ruszala, the team’s visit is a follow on from the initial visit made by Brig. Gen. Tracy L. (Artero) Smith, deputy commander, Task Force-West and commander of the 18th Medical Command.
McBurnette serves as the chief of staff for Task Force-West commander Rear Ad. John Menoni, and brigade commander, U.S. Army Pacific-Support Unit.
“The unit is the principal medical operations headquarters in the Pacific, strengthening the security and stability of our nation through trusted synchronization of Army Health System support by, with, and through joint and combined partners,” Ruszala said. “As for timeframes, DoD is postured to provide medical support and supplies to civil authorities, including the government of the CNMI, if and when authorized by the lead federal agency, Federal Emergency Management Agency, through the United States Indo-Pacific Command tasking as part of the Defense Support to Civil Authorities mission.”
Ruszala further added that the 18th Medical Command (Deployment Support) provides mission command, administrative assistance, and technical supervision of assigned and attached medical units within the Indo-Asia Pacific Region.
