May 15, 2020

His finger’s on the pulse

CONCORD, N.H. — As businesses and recreation begin to slowly reopen throughout New Hampshire, the requirement for COVID-19 testing grows. That’s where the skill set of Capt. Benjamin Hagstrom comes into sharp focus. The medical officer for Joint Task Force 197 is the lead planner for the state’s one mobile and six drive-thru testing sites.

May 12, 2020

Guardsman and Guardian Angel

PEASE AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, N.H. — Maj. Tori Scearbo is one of thousands of state medical professionals working the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. She has been taking care of patients since the virus spread to New Hampshire in March. A native of Bangor, Maine, she serves in the New Hampshire Air National Guard as a nurse for the 157th Medical Group, Det. 1 CERFP, and as a critical care nurse at Portsmouth Hospital.

May 11, 2020

COVID-19 Update #9

CONCORD, N.H. — I hope everyone had a chance to enjoy Mother’s Day, especially our mothers serving on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was another busy week for us as we activated another 75-soldiers over the weekend. To date, more than 650 New Hampshire guardsmen – 450 NHARNG soldiers and 200 NHANG airmen – are supporting COVID-19 relief efforts across the state. Five task forces continue to run eight lines of effort concurrently.

May 4, 2020

COVID-19 Update #8

CONCORD, N.H. — It’s hard to believe eight weeks have come to a close. Nearly an entire summer vacation has passed since schools closed, stay-at-home orders were issued and the New Hampshire National Guard mobilized in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. By far, this has been the most comprehensive and protracted response to a domestic crisis in modern history for the National Guard. As Gov. Chris Sununu said during a recent press conference, “The Guard has been an incredible resource for the state.” To date, 589 NH National Guard soldiers and airmen are directly involved in relief efforts. Five separate task forces are running eight lines of effort concurrently.  

May 1, 2020

NH Guard staffs multiple COVID-19 test sites

ROCHESTER, N.H. — NH guardsmen this week began manning five drive-thru COVID-19 test sites for residents not able to access clinics or urgent care centers. The fixed sites are located here at the local armory, Tamworth, Claremont, Lancaster armory, and Plymouth armory. They are intended to help Gov. Chris Sununu meet his goal of 1,500 tests per day.

April 29, 2020

NH guardsmen manage massive warehouse operations for COVID-19 relief efforts

CONCORD, N.H. — As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to drive demand for personal protective equipment, astute management of New Hampshire’s cache of masks, face shields, gowns and gloves is paramount. The endeavor requires a full-time commitment of manpower and muscle to sort, store, secure and deliver a steady stream of PPE to first responders and healthcare professionals across the state.  Enter a dedicated team of New Hampshire Army National Guard citizen-soldiers.  

April 27, 2020

COVID-19 Update #7

CONCORD, N.H. — As we begin week seven of COVID-19 relief missions for the state of New Hampshire, just over 500 guardsmen are supporting eight different missions across the state, an increase of more than 140 soldiers and airmen since my last update. From helping distribute food to an estimated 750 families in the North Country this past weekend, to the 12th Civil Support Team fielding its first mobile lab Friday to test staff and residents of long term care facilities, the NHNG has been an omnipresent force of good.

April 22, 2020

NH guardsmen band together at call centers

CONCORD, N.H. — New Hampshire guardsmen continue answering the call to support COVID-19 operations at employment security call centers in the capital region. The mission has expanded from a lone center staffed by 19 airmen, to four call centers comprising 240 total guardsmen.

April 20, 2020

COVID-19 Update #6

CONCORD, N.H. — Our lines of effort continue to increase as we begin week six of what has been the longest continuous mobilization of New Hampshire National Guard resources for a domestic response in the past half century. Not since an 18-month stretch from 2006 to 2007, when three separate 100-year storms devastated the Granite State with severe flooding, has the National Guard been used with such frequency.

April 17, 2020

NH guardsmen train with civilian law enforcement

CONCORD, N.H. — One of the latest COVID-19 support requests for the New Hampshire National Guard features 90 soldiers and airmen training with civilian law enforcement, per direction of Gov. Chris Sununu. Videoconferencing was employed to best facilitate social distancing.