ROYAL AIR FORCE MILDENHALL, England -- The 100th Maintenance Squadron’s Quarantine and Isolated Team preserves, supplies and supports the social, mental, physical and spiritual needs of Airmen and their families when quarantined upon arrival to Royal Air Force Mildenhall.
The Qni Team was established in July and consists of full-time volunteers from various maintenance flights. Within the first month, the team delivered over 750 meals to quarantined Airmen and saved the squadron 243 man-hours. Since the inception of the program, the team has helped support 47 Airmen and dependents.
“The Qni Team ensures our most vulnerable squadron members receive high quality care while in quarantine,” said Staff Sgt. Montana Engelking, 100th MXS Qni Team NCO in charge. “The team also ensures our back shops and flights have the ability to focus on their missions with the peace of mind that their newest Airmen are being cared for.”
Due to the coronavirus, Airmen are required to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival in the United Kingdom. The 100th MXS Qni Team is limiting the exposure to their squadron by having a set group of volunteers support Airmen restricted to quarantine.
The Qni Team works around the clock, supporting Airmen during the duty day, after hours and on weekends. The volunteers not only deliver meals to dormitory Airmen, they also help wash laundry and make essential trips to the base exchange. For Airmen and families in temporary lodging facilities, the Qni Team buys groceries, helps wash laundry, makes trips to the base exchange and offers dog walking support for any four-legged family members.
“We also try to get out and socialize with the Airmen at least once a day. We understand how difficult quarantine can be and we try our best to alleviate potential feelings of loneliness,” said Senior Airman Nnkeha Streeter, 100th MXS aerospace ground equipment journeyman. “We also introduce quarantined Airmen to helping agency members, such as the chaplain or Military Family Life Counselor, in order for the Airmen to meet new people and have the opportunity to utilize the services RAF Mildenhall offers.”
The team helps quarantined Airmen maintain contact with their families, become connected with their new shops and also schedules routine welfare checks with helping agencies. In addition, the team offers teleworking services, virtual in-processing and has a wide array of movies for Airmen and their families to enjoy.
The 100th MXS Qni Team is being supported by units all across the base including the 100th Logistics Readiness Squadron and the 100th Force Support Squadron. Members in quarantine can set up virtual appointments with helping agencies, in-process with the Airman & Family Readiness Center, utilize library services and also access donated food and entertainment items.
“This program is a team effort and has required the help of many agencies across the base. We couldn’t continue supporting our Airmen without the support of Team Mildenhall,” said Engelking.
The team has established standard operating procedures, welcome packets and written resources in order for the program to be implemented across the base and across the Air Force.