Oklahoma National Guard Activates Joint Task Force Amid Coronavirus Outbreak

The Oklahoma Army and Air National Guard are teaming up to form a joint task force for possible support missions during the COVID-19 outbreak.

“Currently, the governor is making this an all-state response effort. Literally every agency in Oklahoma is contributing to this response,” Brig. Gen. Tommy Mancino, executive director of the Oklahoma Military Department and the Oklahoma National Guard assistant adjutant general (Army). “The Oklahoma National Guard is in support of the lead agency, the Oklahoma State Department of Health."

The task force will assist the all-state COVID-19 response and also ensure the Oklahoma National Guard will have the ability to respond to multiple potential natural disasters. 

The Oklahoma National Guard will also dispel disinformation and rumors as part of their task in its support relief efforts.

Since the first Oklahoma patient was confirmed, rumors about a statewide lockdown and National Guard enforcing martial law have been circulating on popular social media sites. 

There has been no discussion of enforcing a lockdown in Oklahoma or declaring martial law, Mancino said.

“Let’s have a candid discussion about martial law. Martial law is a thing; it exists within the constitutional powers granted to the Governor, but our Governor has made it very clear we are here to support the people and agencies of Oklahoma,” Mancino said. “There is absolutely no discussion of martial law in Oklahoma. We are hoping everyone pulls together as a community and that we all work together to solve this vital problem we face with this COVID-19 virus.”

President Donald Trump also said he has no plans of enacting a nationwide lockdown or shutting down borders along state lines.