MEMPHIS — The United States Air Force quietly flew in 500,000 swabs used to test for Coronavirus from Italy to Memphis International Airport this week, according to the website Defense One, who originally reported the story.

“There’s multiple parts to testing,” Air Force Brig. Gen. Dr. Paul Friedrichs, the Joint Staff surgeon, said at a briefing. “The first is the swabs that are used to collect the sample from the individual who’s being tested, then there’s a liquid … that you put the swab into. That’s what we brought over from Italy.”

Memphis exists as a major Fed Ex hub and flying them there will help the tests more quickly arrive at their final destination. The Pentagon said that it’s just one example of the cooperation happening between countries to stop the spread of the COVID-19. To read the complete Defense One article, click here. •

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