Base moves HPCON level to Bravo+

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  • 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio – Wright-Patterson Air Force Base transitioned to Health Protection Condition Bravo+ on Feb. 25, as the four key performance indicators used to determine local threat levels continued to greatly improve.

Col. Patrick Miller, 88th Air Base Wing and installation commander, addressed the base in a video with the latest COVID-19 situation update.

“Today, I am transitioning the base to HPCON Bravo+,” he said. “If you recall, it was just two weeks ago when we went from HPCON Delta to Charlie. Since then, our trends have continued to decrease across the board.”

The installation remains in a public health emergency through March 21, with a continued emphasis on optimizing telework to meet mission requirements and provide a safe, healthy environment for the team.

Determining factors for setting the HPCON level include rates for new COVID-19 cases, percent positivity and hospital capacity, both on and off WPAFB, which all have dropped considerably, Miller said.

As he takes these factors under consideration, the safety and security of those on base and within the surrounding areas remain the highest priority.

“This doesn’t mean the pandemic is over — we’re still going to do the things we need to do to continue to be safe,” Miller said. “Things like physical distancing, social connectedness, good hygiene, screening and testing for unvaccinated personnel, and staying home and getting tested when not feeling well.”

Base facility operations

According to the base commander:

- Services and operations will remain the same with increased capacity. 

- Fitness assessments will continue.

- Work center occupancy rates can increase to “no more than 40%,” in accordance with Office of the Secretary of Defense guidance from the previous 25% mark, as prescribed under HPCON Charlie. 

- Mission owners still have flexibility to go above the occupancy threshold as operational requirements dictate. 

- Base residents and employees could see increased traffic and should account for this while navigating gates and access points.

- WPAFB will transition into “green” status for official travel purposes.

Masks still required

Miller reminded the base that wearing masks is still mandatory at this time. That is linked to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s COVID Data Tracker.

Mask wear is required for all personnel when the community transmission risk in area counties is assessed as high (red) or substantial (orange). When the counties reach moderate (yellow) or low (blue), the commander can consider authorizing vaccinated personnel to remove their masks. 

Currently, two of the base’s four surrounding counties (Clark and Greene) are still assessed as high, with the other two (Miami and Montgomery) at substantial. As such, all personnel are still required to wear masks in accordance with current guidelines.

As the CDC adjusts new COVID guidance, Miller urged patience and reminded Team Wright-Patt that it will take time for the Department of Defense and Air Force to issue follow-on guidance.  

If you have follow-up questions or concerns, email 88abw.pa@us.af.mil or call 937-522-3252.