PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Peterson Air Force Base officials today elevated its health protection condition to HPCON-Bravo as a matter of prudent prevention to safeguard service members, community, and the national defense missions supported here.
The 21st Space Wing and Peterson AFB Commander, Col. Thomas Falzarano, made this decision based on expert counsel and coordination with medical officials, operations, and mission support units across Peterson AFB, and in conjunction with the appropriate guidance from local, state and national health agencies resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
There are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 to report from the Peterson community, nor its 27 worldwide operating locations.
Precautionary measures base officials are enacting:
- Child development center and youth services have been limited to mission essential personnel’s children registered in the CDC program.
- Dental clinic services will be reduced to urgent cases.
- The bowling alley, aquatic center and library are closed.
- Chapel services have been suspended through March 29.
- The base museum is not open to the public.
- On-base gatherings of more than 50 people are curtailed.
- Self-service food options are no longer available at The HUB or dining facility.
- The AAFES food court is take-out only.
- The gym remains open and is being cleaned hourly using appropriate disinfectants.
These actions will impact many in the community who live, work, and receive services from Peterson AFB, but are essential to helping maintain the overall health of our members and ensure mission readiness.
We have communicated additional social distancing measures with unit leadership to limit communicable spread.
The base leadership team stands ready to assist with special or unique circumstances, and will adjust additional services based on continuous health risk assessments. Base leadership asks for patience and flexibility from all facets of the community as we all navigating through this viral pandemic.
The entire base leadership team takes this situation seriously and is continuously evaluating steps to further protect our team, our community, and our national defense mission. Peterson’s COVID-19 response team members are actively engaged with the El Paso County Public Health Department, United States Space Force, Headquarters Air Force, U.S. Northern Command, Front Range military bases and Defense Health Agency officials. Additionally, we continue to monitor for the most up to date guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Defense.
We are continuing to engage with our base personnel and mission partners to monitor those who are at higher risk given recent travel or exposure history, and are taking the appropriate actions if necessary.
To help with the prevention of the spread of disease, and in consultation with our medical group’s COVID-19 team, please continue to monitor Peterson AFB’s social media outlets as well as the Centers for Disease Control website for more information.