101st Airborne soldiers deploy to Florida to support COVID-19 vaccinations

More than 120 soldiers have deployed from Fort Campbell to FEMA vaccination sites to help administer the COVID-19 vaccine.

By Lee Erwin February 26, 2021 5:16 pm

Clarksville NowLee Erwin101st soldiers board a flight to support FEMA COVID-19 vaccination centers in Orlando, Florida on Feb. 26 2021.

FORT CAMPBELL, KY (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Friday morning, more than 120 101^st Airborne Division soldiers with the 626^th Brigade Support Battalion boarded a plane from Campbell Army Airfield for a flight to Orlando, Florida.

The soldiers are part of the U.S. Army’s larger effort to support the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s COVID-19 vaccination centers during the pandemic.

101st soldiers board a flight to support FEMA COVID-19 vaccination centers in Orlando, Florida on Feb. 26 2021. (Lee Erwin)

Lt. Col. Troy Fisher, commander of the 626^th Brigade Support Battalion, said they will be part of a task force responsible for administering vaccines.

“We’re extremely excited for it, we look forward to being able to help protect other citizens of the nation,” Fisher said.

The soldiers, which include medical professionals and support staff, will make sure the vaccination sites are able to receive and give the vaccine. They haven’t been part of a vaccination mission before, but Fisher said this is what the soldiers have trained for, and it’s what he called a “haven’t done this before but glad to go do it mission.”

Fisher said the installation, the division, the unit and community have all been supportive of the effort, and he and the soldiers appreciated the support they received.

When asked why Orlando, Fisher said other cities have made requests for assistance and the 101st was chosen for Orlando.

“One thing is certain, we are members of a much larger team. What the larger team has asked us to do is to take our unique capabilities and apply them, in this case, in Orlando. We should all be proud and glad to put our training to use in order to protect the U.S. population from the pandemic,” Fisher said.

Crime

2 hours ago

Police identify 3 found dead in home in Wingate neighborhood of Clarksville

Police have identified the three people found dead inside a home in the Wingate neighborhood of Clarksville Tuesday afternoon.

News

20 hours ago

236-unit development with dog park, pool planned next to Rossview schools campus

Site plans for a 14-acre multi-family development off of Exit 8 have been submitted to the Clarksville-Montgomery County Regional Planning Commission.

Elections

19 hours ago

3 Democratic candidates for Congress discuss data centers, workers’ rights, immigration at Clarksville forum

Three Democratic candidates for Congress, District 7, shared their platforms with voters at a public forum at Austin Peay State University on Monday night.

Sports

16 hours ago

Clarksville High running back earns Player of the Week after 100-yard, 2-touchdown performance

Clarksville High junior running back and linebacker Ahvare Galbreath has been named Clarksville Now’s Player of the Week following his performance in the Wildcats’ 35-14 win over John Overton.

Sports

2 hours ago

Clarksville High volleyball sweeps Rossview to stay undefeated | PHOTOS

The Rossview Hawks traveled across Warfield Boulevard for a volleyball rivalry matchup with the Clarksville Wildcats on Tuesday night.