US Secretary of Defense visits NORAD and US NORTHCOM for COVID-19 briefings

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. (KRDO) -- U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper visited the North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command on Thursday for briefings related to the coronavirus.

Secretary Esper started the media conference by commending USNORTHCOM and NORAD for organizing several military aid deployments to states battling coronavirus outbreaks.

"They've done a remarkable job from day one," said Esper, adding that the DOD first stepped in to help as early as Jan. 20 to bring back U.S. citizens from China.

With more than 60,000 military medical personnel deployed on COVID-related missions, Esper said their priority is to ensure the safety of all servicemen and women.

USNORTHCOM is leading the Department of Defense's COVID-19 pandemic operations. Medical personnel at the command center are helping coordinate the latest guidance from DOD and CDC.

The Secretary also said they are preparing for a second wave of coronavirus outbreaks in the fall and will be adhering closely to CDC guidelines.

"We don't know what the trajectory of this virus will be. We listen to the medical experts," Esper said. "My view has been that we will be at this for a number of months at least until we get a vaccine."

Although the DOD has been busy preparing personnel for COVID-19 deployments and maintaining the nation's defense, there has not been much delay in its plans to announce new headquarters for U.S. Space Command.

"It may have slowed down a little bit because one of my expectations was that they go to Capitol Hill, they brief members of Congress and they make sure they get input on the criteria, the process, etc.," Esper said. "But I think they for the most part remain on timeline for that."

Watch the full briefing with the Defense Secretary below starting around 12:30 p.m.: