DoD Remains Flexible, Agile in Face of Coronavirus

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Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper updates reporters at the Pentagon on Defense Department efforts to combat the coronavirus May 5, 2020 (photo by Marvin Lynchard, DoD).
Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper speaks to the media during Press Briefing on DOD support to COVID-19 updates in the Pentagon Briefing Room, Washington D.C. May 5, 2020. (DoD photo by Marvin Lynchard)

May 29, 2020 | Originally published by U.S. Department of Defense on May 5, 2020

The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) will continue its work with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the governors across the country to try to stay ahead of the pandemic, said Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper at a Pentagon news conference. Army Gen. Mark A. Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, speaking alongside Esper, said the military has been flexible in changing its responses to the needs of the various communities. Some 62,000 Service members are supporting the fight against COVID-19, with more than 3,500 DoD health care professionals working on the front lines of some of the hardest-hit areas, Esper said, adding that he will continue to assess the situation and tailor the DoD’s capabilities to what civilian agencies might need.