In an exclusive article in ARMY magazine, senior Army leaders are highlighting the service’s role in the fight against the COVID-19 virus.

“All components—Regular Army, National Guard and Army Reserve—are in the fight,” Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy, Army Chief of Staff Gen. James McConville and Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Grinston write in the article. “Through them, the Army is supporting local, state and federal requirements with unique capabilities, while maintaining trained and ready forces that can respond to multiple simultaneous contingencies worldwide.”

The ongoing coronavirus pandemic is an “extraordinary challenge,” the leaders wrote, “and the Army is standing shoulder to shoulder with our fellow citizens as we help local, state and federal governments protect America against an unseen enemy.”

Drawing from all three Army components, the service has deployed hospital units to hard-hit New York City and Seattle, galvanized its scientists to work on a vaccine, called on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to help redesign existing facilities into health care facilities, and mobilized Army National Guard soldiers in all 54 states and territories.

Throughout this crisis, the Army remains ready to respond to contingencies around the world, and more than 190,000 soldiers are deployed worldwide, the leaders said.

“It is the grit and determination of our great people—our soldiers, families, civilians and soldiers for life—who form the foundation of our Army and make these efforts possible,” they wrote. “… The U.S. Army is fully engaged and will continue to provide every capability in our arsenal to support the nation’s efforts and defeat the virus.”

To read the full article, click here.