Three Boeing Dreamlifters Transport PPE to South Carolina

Boeing has completed another set of COVID-19 airlift missions, deploying three Dreamlifter aircraft to transport more than 150,000 protective eye goggles and face shields from China to the United States. Boeing worked in partnership with the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) to deliver the personal protective equipment (PPE) to frontline health care professionals in the MUSC system.

"Today's delivery puts essential personal protectiveequipment in the hands of South Carolina's frontline health care professionalsand helps MUSC further support the community during the COVID-19pandemic," said Boeing President and CEO Dave Calhoun. "I amincredibly proud of our Boeing team members throughout the world for their workto help stop the spread of COVID-19 and thankful for our government andindustry partners that have joined us in the pandemic response."

The MUSC Health team will use the PPE as they support therevitalization of the economy and ramp-up COVID-19 community outreach efforts,including diagnostic testing and antibody testing, across South Carolina. MUSCHealth, under the guidance of the South Carolina Legislature and in partnershipwith South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), hasestablished mobile screening and collection sites in rural and underservedareas.

The mobile setup allows health care providers to rotatesites, reaching people experiencing barriers to health care access for COVID-19screening. Rural and underserved communities have experienced disparities inaccess to COVID-19 screening, testing, prevention and treatment in SouthCarolina and across the U.S.

The MUSC Health team leading this effort were the first inthe U.S. to launch a combined virtual urgent care platform and drive-throughspecimen collection site. They are now bringing a version of this successfulmodel to the communities that need it most.

Similar to previous airlift missions flown by the Dreamlifter – a converted Boeing 747-400 Large Cargo Freighter – the medical cargo was transported in the lower lobe of all three aircraft, while 787 component parts were flown in the main deck cargo hold. Boeing donated the cost of the mission transport, with Atlas Air operating the flights on behalf of Boeing. Boeing has scheduled additional flights, to deliver a total of 400,000 units of PPE to MUSC, in the near future.

Boeing is coordinating closely with U.S. governmentofficials on how to best assist areas with the greatest need.