What role does the US military play in response to COVID-19?

As the United States federal government works to mobilise against the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States armed forces are set to assume an increasingly greater role in the response. But with the National Guard already contributing nearly 20,000 troops and likely to contribute thousands more to the COVID-19 response, what will the impact be on the US military’s overseas deployments, training and readiness? What does military deterrence in the Indo-Pacific look like in the middle of a pandemic?

To discuss these issues, USSC hosted a webinar event featuring Director of Foreign Policy and Defence Ashley Townshend in conversation with Dr Jim Golby, USSC Non-Resident Senior Fellow and the author of the recently published USSC brief “The US military's role in response to COVID-19”.

In addition to being a Non-Resident Senior Fellow, Jim Golby is an active duty US Army strategist and is currently serving as a defence policy adviser at the United States Mission to NATO. Jim previously served as a special adviser to the Vice President of the United States, as a special assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and as an assistant professor of American Politics, Policy, and Strategy at the US Military Academy at West Point. Before becoming an Army strategist, Jim commanded a security company in Iraq (2006-07) and led a scout platoon in combat in Iraq (2004-05).