Civil Air Patrol Surpasses 100 Days of Continuous Operations for New Hampshire COVID-19 Response Ju

Civil Air Patrol Surpasses 100 Days of Continuous Operations for New Hampshire COVID-19 Response

June 13, 2020

CONCORD, N.H. — Civil Air Patrol’s New Hampshire Wing continues to answer the call to the evolving needs of the state’s pandemic response, now surpassing 100 days of continuous operations and support. Among the varied missions with which Civil Air Patrol has been tasked, the most visible and recurring task has been the transport and distribution of personal protective equipment (PPE) to the front lines of the pandemic response.

In New Hampshire alone, hundreds of Civil Air Patrol volunteers have driven a total of 16,693 miles to move 12,776 cases of PPE from warehouses and stockpiles to hospitals, first responders, and healthcare professionals—distributing more than 1 million medical-grade masks alone.

"Every day, I am inspired by the contributions of our volunteer Airmen here in the State of New Hampshire,” said Col. Darin Ninness, commander of New Hampshire Wing. “In the midst of a global pandemic, these Civil Air Patrol members have stepped up for their communities, delivering critical PPE and service to the front line of the Granite State's response to the coronavirus. The numbers speak for themselves."

In its capacity as the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary, and at the request of the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services and the New Hampshire State Emergency Operations Center, a total of 498 Civil Air Patrol personnel have worked COVID-19 response efforts in the state. "Not since the early days of World War II have Civil Air Patrol members been tasked at this level of a nationwide effort,” Col. Ninness added. “We have volunteer airmen in 29 states conducting missions in support of their communities every single day of the week at this point. It is truly amazing to see what is happening across the country in support of our nation."

Acting as a Total Force partner and official civilian auxiliary of the Air Force, Civil Air Patrol is aligned with First Air Force to rapidly respond to non-military threats domestically when tasked in a Defense Support of Civil Authorities capacity to save lives, relieve suffering, prevent property damage and provide humanitarian assistance.