By Sgt. Gabrielle Weaver
2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Spc. Tyler Ingersoll with Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, asks Exchange patrons medical screening questions prior to entering the facility April 1, 2020. Fort Carson’s priorities are the protection of service members, their Families and the department’s civilian workforce. (Photo by Sgt. Gabrielle Weaver)
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Soldiers with 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, came together March 16, 2020, per the order of Maj. Gen. Matthew W. McFarlane, commanding general, 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson, in order to create Task Force Overwatch in response to COVID-19 relief efforts.
Task Force Overwatch continues this operation to keep patrons safe while conducting essential shopping in Fort Carson facilities.
“Our presence is helping patrons, customers and service members realize that if they are sick in any regard they should stay home,” said 1st Lt. Brandon Preznuk, officer in charge of a screening team at the Exchange, Charlie Company, 2nd Bn. 12th Inf. Reg., 2nd IBCT. “We are trying to minimize the spread of (the coronavirus) as much as we can.”
Teams of Soldiers are posted in three Fort Carson facilities: the commissary, Exchange and mini mall. Soldiers ask patrons a series of medical screening questions, and have them sanitize or wash their hands at the wash station prior to entering the building. These questions are followed by taking a patron’s temperature at random.
“Our shift starts at 8 a.m. (at the Exchange) until 1 p.m.,” said Spc. Jesse Bailey with Charlie Company, 2nd Bn. 12th Inf. Reg., 2nd IBCT. “The second teams come in from that time until 6 p.m.”
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Spc. Tomas Tarango with Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, asks a patron a medical screening question prior to entering the Exchange March 31, 2020. (Photo by Sgt. Gabrielle Weaver)
Those who do not pass the medical screening questions or have an above-normal temperature are denied entry to protect patrons from possible exposure to those who may be carrying the novel coronavirus.
“(Soldiers’ presence is) a good thing. Some people don’t know what signs and symptoms to look for,” said Felicia Drah, Exchange patron. “Having people here brings those symptoms to light, it’s a good process.”
Task Force Overwatch continues to ensure the safety of Fort Carson Families, service members and DOD civilians by continuing to practice safety measures that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have put out.
“It provides a good feeling to me,” Bailey said. “We’re helping prevent the spread of (the coronavirus) and mitigate the risks of it on Fort Carson.”
FORT CARSON, Colo. — From left: Spc. Tyler Ingersoll, Sgt. Tomas Ornelas and Spc. Tomas Tarango with Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, maintain a safe 6-foot distance while waiting for patrons outside of the Exchange in order to conduct a medical screening to those entering the facility April 1, 2020. (Photo by Sgt. Gabrielle Weaver)