Robins AFB’s gradual return to full capacity

Colonel Brian Moore, 78th Air Base Wing and Installation Commander at Robins Air Force Base, and Chief Master Sergeant Tim Wieser, 78th Air Base Wing Command Chief, addressed base employees Thursday by way of a video message regarding the base returning to full capacity.

Moore and Wieser first began by recognizing several people throughout the base who have stood out by the jobs they have done over the past six weeks during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as expressing appreciation to all base personnel.

“I want to start by saying thank you to everybody that has been all in, helping us get through as a community and base community,” Moore said. “This has been no easy task, but we are extremely appreciative of all the efforts put in to be innovative and come up with solutions, and show commitment to each other as well as our mission sets.”

Moore then went on to say that as Robins Air Force Base moves into the next phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, they will continue to ease restrictions like the local and state leaders have.

“We are already in that process, and we will start in a phase approach beginning Monday,” Moore said. “On May 11, we’ll begin recalling the weather and safety high risk people, and as we do that, it’s imperative that we do it in the safest manner and that we all remain hyper focused in protecting the most vulnerable. But we do have the guidance that we need from CDC and OSHA to do that safely and build upon to learn how to work together, mitigate, and get our mission accomplished. It is our responsibility to, and our focus is to remain focused on the protection of those folks as well as to make sure this virus doesn’t spread any further.”

Wieser added, “To the frontline supervisors and team Robins, continue to lead boldly, decisively, and innovatively. If something doesn’t make sense, then run it up the chain, and we are here to fix it and get it right for you. We are here to take care of you and your families.”

Moore explained that as Robins Air Force Base moves forward to accomplish its missions, members are to assume a culture of compliance.

“Think of it in terms of the social distancing we have been doing, terms of cleaning and sanitization; masks we need people to wear when social distancing can’t be accomplished. We all have to embrace it and take on the mantle of holding each other accountable. This is kind of the new normal. Beginning May 11, we’ll start this with supervisors, then move to support personnel, and by the end of the month, the rest of the weather and safety personnel. That’s not to say telework isn’t still encouraged; it is. Commanders and supervisors will then be required to look at the best and most effective way to return to full capacity.”

“We’re also in the process of opening the gym back up to military members, and then civilians. This goes for the golf course and recreation as well,” Moore went on to say. “Then we’ve got base leaders collaborating the rest of the functions back. The base is a great place live, work, learn and play. But it’s because of the people and missions we do to protect our nation and to get the defense industrial base strong and the aircraft flying to meet readiness requirements. This is why this base is great. Thank you for being so dedicated. Everyone is critical in this fight; continue to fight as we make this transition back to full capacity. Thanks for all you do.”

General Arnold W. Bunch Jr., commander of Air Force Materiel Command, was scheduled to visit Robins Friday to receive a COVID-19 update and to get details about the installation’s plan to return to full capacity.

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