Contributors (*Chapter Leads, †Main Editors)

LTC Jason B. Alisangco, MC, USA*

LT Emily A. Arnold, NC, USN*

HM3 Maxwell C. Basden, USN

HM2 James E. Bean, USN

CDR Robert C. Call, MC, USN*†

HM2 Tam V. Dang, USN

LT Timothy D. Dye, NC, USN

LT Amy L. Erdman, NC, USN

HM1 Antoine S. Giacometti, USN

LCDR Jason M. Hardwick, MC, USN*

HM2 Victor Isarraraz III, USN

CPT Rian N. Jockisch NC, USA

LCDR Arthur T. Johnson IV, MC, USN

LT Scott E. Krasovetz, MSC, USN

HM3 Sterling H. Magee, USN

LCDR Andrew E. Mancusi-Ungaro, MC, USN*

HM1 Christopher L. Moore, USN*

LT Nicole M. Pendry, NC, USN*

LCDR Kevin T. Petersen, MC, USN*†

CAPT Craig J. Randall, MC, USN*

HM2 Lucero E. Rocha, USN

HM2 Kareem S. Rouse, USN

CAPT Kristian E. Sanchack, MC, USN*

LTJG Jose E. Santos-Calderon, NC, USN

HMCS Johnny J. Stewart, USN*†

HM2 Michael L. Ward, Jr., USN

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

INTRODUCTION

From June to November 2020, a forward location experienced four discrete COVID-19 outbreaks. Each outbreak revealed new improvement points, response flaws, and potential COVID-19 exposures. Consequently, the COVID-19 response posture for the location matured as a result of the outbreaks. With over 400 COVID-19 positive cases and more than 1,500 completed quarantines, this Executive Summary seeks to share our observations, narrative, setbacks, and lessons learned managing COVID-19 in an operational, forward-deployed setting. We approached this paper with honesty and transparency, as many of our worst days became our greatest teachers. We also quickly realized that sustained eradication of COVID-19 on our base would require a level of operational lockdown incompatible with operational requirements. Consequently, our end-goal became defined by our ability to mitigate COVID-19 from compromising the joint-coalition mission and not the number of COVID-19 cases or time between outbreaks.