Parting shots

Aaron Rosenblatt/Daily Republic photos

LEFT: Col. Derek M. Salmi addresses the crowd during the Change of Command Ceremony at Travis Air Force Base, Wednesday, July 27. Salmi became the new 60th Air Mobility Wing commander, takingt over for Col. Corey A. Simmons. BOTTOM LEFT: Col. Corey A. Simmons addresses the crowd during the Change of Command Ceremony at Travis Air Force Base, Wednesday. BOTTOM CENTER: Attendees walk in the hangar following the Change of Command Ceremony at Travis Air Force Base, Wednesday. BOTTOM RIGHT: Maj. Gen. Kenneth T. Bibb, Jr., left, presents Col. Corey A. Simmons with a medal during the Change of Command Ceremony at Travis Air Force Base, Wednesday.

COMMAND 60th AMW change of

Vaccine

From Page 3

averaging more than 120,000 daily reported cases and more than 350 deaths per day, driven by the new, more contagious variant called BA.5.

“Unlike the flu, which circulates seasonally, SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19, has circulated continuously over the last two and a half years,” said Sayers. “It is important to get vaccinated and stay up-to-date with your vaccines to limit severe disease. The Novavax Covid-19 vaccine is another option to ensure we can protect our members and protect the mission.”

Airmen and guardians can contact their local military treatment facilities for more information. Additional information on vaccine appointments and testing can be found here.

Disaster

From Page 13

flooding, and tornados. This year, the government predicts an above average hurricane season with up to 21 storms, and the year has already seen many deadly tornadoes.

For the staff of Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida in 2018, the impact of hurricanes became all too real, when Hurricane Michael devastated the base in October 2018. Many base personnel and families lived in the surrounding community, which had to rebuild following the hurricane.

“One of the biggest lessons we learned after the Tyndall was destroyed by was to understand what your insurance plan says,” said Robert Genova, the Emergency Management Operations support manager at Tyndall.

“Once the storm has passed, what are you authorized to do, such as having a contractor put tarp on your roof, and will your insurance pay for that?” he advised. “You need to understand what kind of limitations you have on your insurance.”

Preparedness Toolkits

Every military service has a guide and thorough preparedness toolkit localized to the installation and outside-ofbase housing. New service members or PCS’ed families get initial information on the local hazards during their orientation briefings.

For example, the Air Force’s Be Ready guide is an authoritative and highly thorough reference source for all types of natural, man-made, technological and terrorism-related disasters.

The guide helps military families prepare for those events and runs the gamut from basic preparation to exactly how to deal with most any type of disaster.

The toolkits and catalogs go from awareness posters, information tear sheets, table tents, to hazard vignette short videos. There are also kids’ awareness campaign materials that include activity books and tear sheets focused on the threats or hazards for each installation.

Staff Sgt. Mike Norris/U.S. Army Master Sgt. John Bowery adds a sand bag to the top of a bunker at Contingency Operating Station Taji, Sept. 22, 2011.