The Association of Defense Communities recently sent a letter to Defense Secretary Mark Esper outlining the imperative of linking bases with surrounding communities during the coronavirus pandemic. In order to achieve efficient collaboration strategies to combat this crisis, ADC encourages adopting a “one community” approach.

A “one community” approach facilitates a joint base-community response structure that will develop local strategies to promote health and safety, ensure family resilience and begin to think about what it will take to recover from this crisis.

The strength of hundreds of installations and communities that exist today provides a strong foundation to fight the pandemic. ADC urges Esper to provide direct guidance to base commanders to embrace a “one community” approach.