Dual Status Commander – BG Flasch
Article by Sgt. Allen Griffith, 29th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
Photos by Spc. Ashleigh Maxwell
TAKOMA PARK, Md. – U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Adam Flasch, director of the Maryland National Guard Joint Staff, completed his assignment as dual-status commander for Maryland National Guard and active-duty federal military forces responding to the COVID-19 pandemic in Maryland, March 4, 2022.
Gov. Larry Hogan authorized Flasch to assume the role, which involved overseeing both state and federal forces simultaneously. Normally, National Guard officers only serve in one status, state or federal, at any given time. 
The activation of a DSC was necessitated by the deployment of approximately 40 U.S. Navy medical personnel supporting the hospital staff at the Adventist HealthCare alternate care site in early February. That team was led by Cmdr. Jerrol B. Wallace, officer-in-charge of the naval medical team handling COVID response operations.
At the request of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, military medical personnel, including medical doctors, nurses, and respiratory therapists, supported civilian healthcare workers treating COVID-19 patients in five states.
“This was the first time I’ve had the opportunity to work with the Navy team,” said Flasch. “Learning some of the details of the Navy took a few extra days but the skills and capability of Cmdr. Wallace and all the team here helped us integrate very quickly.” 
Since Hurricane Katrina, the use of dual-status commanders allows federal and state capabilities to have a greater unity of effort with the ever-changing challenges in domestic operations. According to Flasch, the transition was easy because of his experience last year and the DSC model ensures operational efficiency from “minute one of the first day.”
Flasch was previously appointed as the DSC to integrate a FEMA mass vaccination site located at the Greenbelt Metro station beginning last April into the state’s military response to the pandemic. Over an eight-week period, about 140 active duty Airmen administered more than 116,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine.
That was the first time the state of Maryland had a DSC serve in the critical role commanding both National Guard and active-duty forces during an emergency. As the DSC, Flasch reported both up through U.S. Northern Command and the adjutant general for Maryland, Maj. Gen. Timothy E. Gowen for this unique chain of command. 
The DSC also has authority for all DoD personnel assigned to the mission, no matter their military status. While there were no Guard members at Adventist Urgent Care site, the MDNG had up to 1,000 Soldiers and Airmen activated to support COVID-19 missions across the state during this time
The experience consolidating DoD resources helped prepare Flasch for year three of the pandemic.
The ongoing relationships with FEMA, Maryland Department of Emergency Management, and other civilian partners ensured the team could operate quickly and provide medical assistance where it was needed. The skill and professionalism of the Navy nurses and respiratory therapists on the mission allowed traveling nurses to be sent out to other hospitals who were understaffed due to COVID-19.
Flasch has a new appreciation for the medical capabilities of the Navy.
“I’ve always been a big fan of the Navy,” said Flasch. “Now I am absolutely 100% on board. I love our Navy teammates, and we couldn’t go to war without them, nor would I want to. I look forward to seeing them somewhere out in the world and continuing to serve together.”
