Fort Rucker to resume flight training paused by coronavirus

FORT RUCKER, Ala. — The Army plans to resume flight training at an Alabama base where most pilot trainees have been grounded because of the coronavirus.

Commanders at Fort Rucker imposed a two-week suspension of flight training for about 810 students after three COVID-19 infections were confirmed at the base. Maj. Gen. David J. Francis, Fort Rucker’s commanding general, says training of combat aviators is scheduled to resume Monday, The Dothan Eagle reported.

"The resumption of flight training is mission essential for our army," Francis said.

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Fort Rucker officials believe quarantine and tracing procedures followed after the infections were identified have kept the virus from spreading, Francis said. Social distancing measures are also being enforced, and aircraft and simulators are being sanitized between flights.

Base officials said Fort Rucker also now has the ability to conduct rapid testing for COVID-19, with results taking about an hour.

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