Urban Augmentation Medical Task Force 452-1, with 85 Soldiers mostly from Wisconsin and Minnesota, rapidly deployed to Field Medical Station (FMS) Edison on April 8, 2020.

Working in coordination with members of the New Jersey Department of Health, New Jersey Army and Air National Guards, and staff from the Edison Convention Center, Soldiers spent the next two days putting finishing touches on the FMS.

The first COVID-19 positive patient was accepted on Saturday April 11 2020. The 500-bed facility was designed to care for low-acuity patients, and was staffed with both DOD and civilian medical personnel.

The majority of 452-1 had just returned home in June of 2019 after a yearlong deployment to Kuwait in support of Operation Spartan Shield.

Sgt. Craig Barrows, a Medic from the Minneapolis area, summed up the attitude of the team when he said, "As reservists we train to be ready. Always ready, whether it's to deploy with one month - one week - or one day’s notice. We all volunteer to serve our country in the manner it needs us. We are all proud to be here helping the people of New Jersey, and are proud to serve our country."