U.S. Air Force flew 500,000 COVID-19 test kit components from Italy to Memphis

[KY_EnviroGuy]

US Air Force Flew Half a Million Coronavirus Test Swabs From Italy to Tennessee
By Marcus Weisgerber, Global Business Editor Read
11:22 AM ET

Link: https://www.defenseone.com/threats/2020/03/us-air-force-flew-half-million-coronavirus-test-kits-italy-tennessee/163879/

(snips)

Similar missions to distribute COVID-19 test kits are expected in coming days.

UPDATE 2:30 PM: This story has been updated to include comments from Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman and Air Force Brig. Gen. Dr. Paul Friedrichs, the Joint Staff surgeon.

The U.S. Air Force quietly flew 500,000 swabs for COVID-19 testing kits from Italy to Memphis, Tennessee, on Monday, Defense One has learned.

Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman confirmed the shipment on board an Air National Guard aircraft. The plane carried “swabs” that are used in the COVID-19 testing process, he said during a Wednesday afternoon briefing at the Pentagon.

“There’s multiple parts to testing,” Air Force Brig. Gen. Dr. Paul Friedrichs, the Joint Staff surgeon, said at the same briefing. “The first is the swabs that are used to collect the sample from the individual who’s being tested, then there’s a liquid … that you put the swab into. That’s what composed what we brought over from Italy.”

These types of swabs are made by companies in the U.S. and overseas, he said.

“This is a great example of how nations are working together to ensure that we’re meeting the global demand,” Friedrichs said.

Don't quite comprehend the significance of this, but it looks like we may finally be making some progress toward a plan.......

[Texaswitchy]

1. Finally.

Trump cannot take a cut of this.

[sinkingfeeling]

2. For military use only?

[Brother Buzz]

5. They were flown on a Air National Guard aircraft (presumably a Tennessee bird)

Until we learn more I will assume the governor of Tennessee has the desecration to disperse them as he sees fit.

[Baitball Blogger]

9. Tennessee. Didn't Ted Roe pull strings to get Diamond Princess passengers to the

States, and the were responsible for the first cases of community spread in California?

[KY_EnviroGuy]

6. He unfortunately was not able to detail their final destiny.

Only a hint from the military:

Goldfein acknowledged the Air Force is “moving test kits all in support of Homeland Security [and] Health and Human Services to make sure that we’re meeting the demands that they have.”

I suspect the military is helping move all sorts of medical supplies from around the world to make up for massive shortages in masks, coveralls, drugs and other treatments supplies.

We may also be flying supplies in for some of our allies as well.

It's probably one big procurement battle between many nations right now.....

[Brother Buzz]

3. Curious, "The U.S. Air Force quietly flew 500,000 swabs"....

and it was announced by Pentagon spokesman. I guess, that nimrod, Pence, is no longer the information clearinghouse dude.

Even more curious, the swabs were flown on a Air National Guard aircraft, so I'm guessing that gives the Pentagon the wiggle room to circumvent the Pence information filter thingy.

All most curious. Did I say curious?

[Baitball Blogger]

4. U.S. Air Force usually translates to Republican flying monkeys.

Not reassured until someone goes out of their way to reassure me.

[Brother Buzz]

7. Consider post #5, above

I'm just spit-balling, here, but I like to think someone is thinking outside the box to solve a HUGE problem.

[Goonch]

8. Who could have known

Italy was flush with COVID-19 test kits?