U.S. Air Force service members stand at parade rest

U.S. Air Force service members stand at parade rest while listening to Col. Tom Jackson, Commander of the 126th Air Refueling Wing, based at Scott Air Force Base, at McCormick Place Convention Center, Chicago, May 7, 2020. Jackson, along with Col. Joshua Hendrix, the Maintenance Group Commander, Col. Kevin Jacobs, the Mission Support Group Commander, and Senior Master Sgt. Jimmie Jacobs, the Wing First Sgt. visited with mobilized members of the 126th Air Refueling Wing while at several sites in the Chicago area, to include McCormick, Melrose, and Markham.  During the visit to Team McCormick, Col. Jacobs had the opportunity to promote 3 Airmen from the 126th Mission Support Group. Approximately 60 members of the Illinois Air National Guard were activated last month to support the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to temporarily convert part of the McCormick Place Convention Center into an alternate care facility for COVID-19 patients with mild symptoms who do not require intensive care in the Chicago area. Recently, it was announced that due to the flattening of the curve of COVID-19, the alternate care facility located at McCormick Place is slated to be deconstructed. The crates that Guard Service Members are constructing will hold mattresses, beds, lamps, trash cans, white boards, and folding chairs sufficient for three patients and will be shipped throughout the State in preparation for any resurgence of the virus in the future. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Shelly Stark)