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Chase Helps With State Testing for COVID-19

Chase Helps With State Testing for COVID-19
Nebraska National Guard members with the 155th Medical Group prepare a worksite for COVID-19 testing in Grand Island on April 7. The medical group, which includes Gabe Chase, is part of the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive Enhanced Response Force Package team. The team is an joint-force unit between the Army and Air National Guard and specializes in search and extraction, decontamination, medical, facilities search and rescue, and joint incident site communications command and control. Photo by Natasha Hilsgen | U.S. Air Force
Gabe Chase
Gabe Chase, '20

A drive to serve led Nebraska’s Gabe Chase, '20, to the front lines of the global pandemic. The MBA@Nebraska alum was one of a number of students in the Nebraska National Guard’s 155th Air Refueling Wing who were called to assist with COVID-19 testing statewide. Chase’s section within the 155th's medical group served primarily in central and western Nebraska, operating drive-through testing stations in Grand Island and Lexington.

“I’m more of a people person, so I like to work registration,” Chase said. “It gives me a chance to talk directly to people and, if needed, calm them down about the testing. It’s a task I feel I’m gifted at doing.”

The non-traditional student built a career on serving others. Now in his fourth year with the National Guard, Chase previously served in the U.S. Coast Guard and assisted with humanitarian relief efforts in Africa.

Members of the 155th Medical Group follow health safety protocols by wearing personal protective equipment while preparing to open a testing station in Grand Island on April 7.
Members of the 155th Medical Group follow health safety protocols by wearing personal protective equipment while preparing to open a testing station in Grand Island on April 7. Photo by Natasha Hilsgen | U.S. Air Force

“It took me a bit, but I realized there was this greater need for medical aid around the world, so I figured I’d spend a few years here in the states then, hopefully, go overseas again,” he said.

That decision led him to sign up with the National Guard. While there, he earned an MBA and in May 2020, his was one of a record setting 3,500-plus degrees conferred during a virtual graduation celebration.

“I’ve had a stretching experience at the University of Nebraska,” Chase said. “It’s set me up well for the next step in life.”