FOR RELEASE: Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021 –
CENTENNIAL, Colo. – Five of the Colorado National Guard’s senior leaders received the first of two COVID-19 vaccines Jan. 21, 2021, at Buckley Air Force Base, Aurora, Colorado.
Assistant Adjutant General, Air U.S Air Force Brig. Gen. Floyd Dunstan, State Command Chief U.S Air Force Command Chief Master Sgt. Troy Cook, Assistant Adjutant General, Army U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Doug Paul, State Command Chief Warrant Officer U.S. Army Command Chief Charles Zanoff, and State Command Sergeant Major U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Ed Macias will receive the vaccine.
“With a focus on beating the virus and protecting our force, our families and our communities, our Colorado National Guard leaders are stepping up to set the example and encourage all members of the Colorado National Guard and our Colorado communities to get the COVID-19 vaccine,” The Adjutant General of Colorado U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Laura Clellan said.
Clellan received the first of two vaccines earlier this month along with Chief of Joint Staff U.S. Air Force Col. Michael Bruno, 140th Wing Commander U.S. Air Force Col. Micah Fesler and 140th Wing Command Chief U.S. Air Force Command Chief Master Sgt. Lisa Perry.
Select members of the CONG, including senior leaders and personnel directly supporting the state’s COVID-19 response and national security missions, will be able to receive the vaccine during phase one.
Soldiers from the Colorado Army National Guard Medical Command and Airmen from the 140th Medical Group are administering the vaccine as part of the Department of Military and Veteran’s Affairs distribution plan for essential personal.
The vaccine will also be available to CONG members deploying in support of U.S. Combatant Commands.
These service members are at a higher risk for contracting the virus.
This vaccination phase ensures continuity of CONG operations during the pandemic.
Gov. Jared Polis activated the CONG March 10, 2020, to support the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment and local authorities to test Coloradans for COVID-19 and stop the spread of the virus.
This effort has continued and has also expanded to include assisting the state’s Vaccine Task Force in the planning, resourcing and execution of the state’s COVID-19 vaccination plan.
National security missions include the 140th Wing, Colorado Air National Guard Aerospace Control Alert and Space Warning and Control missions as well as the Colorado Army National Guard 100th Missile Defense Brigade defense of the homeland from intercontinental ballistic missile attacks.