Company, 52nd Engineer Battalion, puts on a protective suit during training
on Fort Carson, Colo., Oct. 23. The Soldiers of the 615th are training prior
to the unit's deploymen... VIEW ORIGINAL
Company, 52nd Engineer Battalion, zips up during protective suit training on
Fort Carson, Colo., Oct. 23. The Soldiers of the 615th are training on how
to protect themselves fr... VIEW ORIGINAL
Engineer Company, 52nd Engineer Battalion, zips up during protective suit
training on Fort Carson, Colo., Oct. 23. The Soldiers of the 615th are
training prior to the unit's depl... VIEW ORIGINAL
About 150 Soldiers trained on how to properly put on and take off protective equipment on Fort Carson Oct. 23 in preparation for an upcoming deployment to Liberia as part of Operation United Assistance.
The suits, gloves and boots, issued to the 615th Engineer Company, 52nd Engineer Battalion, will help protect the Soldiers from the Ebola virus if they have to work in proximity to infected people during the deployment.
Trainers from the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases out of Frederick, Maryland, taught the engineers how to use the suits and remove them without getting contaminated. They also taught the Soldiers about other infectious diseases in the area and how to protect themselves from those illnesses. While the training focused on keeping the Soldiers healthy, the engineers said they are focused on getting the mission done and helping the people of Liberia.
"I feel that they get the severity of the Ebola virus … but our focus is more on building the medical treatment facilities, not so much (fighting) the virus," said Staff Sgt. Ryan Larkin, horizontal construction engineer, 615th Eng. "We are going to be operating in more sparse areas away from the big population of Monrovia. The other diseases that are there, that are more frequent (such as) yellow fever, dengue fever and malaria -- those are things we have to worry about, too. However, the Army has prescribed us medication to defend against those diseases."
While in Liberia, the engineers will be improving roads and infrastructure as well as helping to clear land and build Ebola treatment facilities. Even though they are not planning to interact with Ebola patients, they are prepared to protect themselves if needed.
"They've had a lot of education on how to protect themselves," said Lt. Col. Robert Price, division surgeon, 4th Infantry Division. "I think they are very confident in their abilities, their training and their equipment. We are taking every measure to protect our Soldiers, their Families and the Colorado Springs community. We are making sure they are safe when they are abroad, and when they come back there are deliberate systems in place to make sure we keep everybody safe."
Besides the protective suits, safety measures include twice-a-day temperature checks and face-to-face interviews with a health care professional while in country. After returning to Colorado, Soldiers will go through a 21-day controlled monitoring period. Fort Carson is taking these steps to ensure Soldiers, Family members and the surrounding communities are confident the Army is taking all steps necessary to protect their health.
"I am very confident in all the training we have received," said Cpl. Antonio McKay, horizontal construction engineer, 615th Eng. "Our chain of command is setting us up for success. When we go over there, the likelihood of us actually contracting the Ebola virus is minimal."
Despite the scope of the work, the Soldiers said they are ready to get to work.
"We are very prepared and we are excited to get to Africa and ultimately help the people of Liberia," Larkin said.
The company has worked on similar missions locally, including helping with the Black Forest Fire and clearing the mudslide that blocked the entrance to Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station. Now they are ready to add this unique humanitarian mission to their accomplishments.
"What they gain out of this will carry throughout their entire career," said 1st Sgt. Scott Legg, 615th Eng. "It's something that no Soldier may get for another 20 or 30 years. I'm very excited for them and I'm proud of the training they have conducted and the way they have conducted it. I know for a fact they are ready to go."
The unit is expected to deploy in November. No timeline has been set for the length of the deployment at this time. The engineers are scheduled to help build 17 Ebola treatment facilities, improve existing roads, construct new roads and improve the infrastructure near Monrovia.
Related Links:
U.S. Army news, information about Army's response to Ebola threat
Social Sharing