Hill AFB Airmen deploy to South Carolina to battle COVID-19

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  • 75th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- Two Airmen from Hill Air Force Base deployed to Charleston, South Carolina, April 9 in support of the U.S. government response to COVID-19.

Tech. Sgt. Yves-denis Ekiti, medical logistics, and Staff Sgt. Mark Dennis, public health, are both members of the base’s 75th Medical Group and volunteered to support ongoing efforts in the state.

“I am very proud that I get the chance to work with such outstanding individuals,” said Col. Mark Cleveland, 75th MDG commander. “Every day, Tech. Sgt. Ekiti and Staff Sgt. Dennis are always looking for ways to do more for those around them. Volunteering for this deployment is just another example of them stepping up and leading the way.”

Both members final out processed for their deployment April 8. However, at that time neither was certain what their specific efforts would entail once they arrived in South Carolina.

This deployment falls on the heels of a larger 419th Fighter Wing mobilization April 5 that sent Air Force Reserve medics from Hill AFB to help with the COVID-19 response in the New York City area.

As the only Military Treatment Facility in Utah, the 75th MDG provides primary care and a limited range of specialty services for military beneficiaries. Comprised of 450 active duty, civilian and contractor employees, the group provides operational and primary health care support to nearly 16,500 enrollees and more than 71,000 TRICARE beneficiaries in four states.

This is a developing story and will be updated when more information becomes available.