TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- After months of managing Airmen assigned to First Air Force (1AF)’s 64th Air Expeditionary Group who delivered more than 772,000 COVID-19 vaccines at state-led, federally supported Community Vaccination Centers (CVCs) nationwide, leaders from the 64th AEG Group took time to demonstrate their ongoing commitment to teamwork by celebrating Global Running Day 2021.
Together, Col David Vanderburg, 64th AEG commander; Master Sgt. Kelley Tessmann, 64th AEG 1st sergeant; Senior Master Sgt. David Wright, 64th AEG group superintendent; Lt. Col. Jonathan Austin, group deputy; and Tech. Sgt. Jose Torres, personnel support for contingency operations (PERSCO) participated in an official 5K race on Wednesday.
“Teamwork makes the dream work!” said Col David Vanderburg, commander of the 64th AEG. “The 800 Airmen who served in support of vaccinations centers in Houston, Tex.; Detroit and Grand Rapids, Mich.; Gary, Ind.; and who continue to serve in St. Paul, Minn., displayed their commitment to saving lives by working together. It’s only fitting that we attribute the inspiration for our race team motto to them.”
According to Global Running Day’s website, “This day plays an important role, reminding us of the positives that running can offer and the power of unification…During these challenging times, many people are turning to running as a solution to help release anxiety, gain perspective, cope with cabin fever, and keep up wellbeing.”
“As we wind down support to CVCs following the direction of FEMA through DoD, celebrating Global Running Day was just another way to demonstrate our commitment to readiness, morale and comradery--no matter what comes our way,” said Vanderburg.
Airmen tracked by the 64th and 335th AEG's remain supporting two CVCs, St. Paul, Minn. and Newark, N.J.
U.S. Northern Command, through U.S. Army North, remains committed to providing continued, flexible U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) support to FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency as part of the whole-of-government response to COVID-19.