Army units assist with Africa response to Ebola virus

By Lt. Col. Don PetersOctober 16, 2014

ARLINGTON, VA (October 3, 2014) -- The U.S. Army announced today additional units that will deploy in support of the United States Agency for International Development's effort to contain the spread of the Ebola virus in Africa. With the previously announced unit deployments, this will bring the total Army commitment to about 3,200 soldiers.

As announced by the Department of Defense on September 30, elements of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) Headquarters, at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, will deploy to Monrovia, Liberia, as part of the Joint Force Command for "Operation United Assistance." More than 1,800 Soldiers from Fort Campbell will arrive sometime in late October. Other Fort Campbell units included in this number will be: Soldiers from the 101st Sustainment Brigade; elements of the 86th Combat Support Hospital, 44th Medical Brigade; and a Military Police company from the 16th Military Police Brigade. These units will provide medical and logistic support, as well as site security, to the Joint Task Force.

Beyond Fort Campbell, units from Fort Hood, Texas; Fort Carson, Colorado; Fort Bliss, Texas; Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Fort Stewart, Georgia; Fort Benning, Georgia; Fort Eustis, Virginia; and Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, will join this U.S. Army response.

Fort Hood, Texas, will send over 500 Soldiers from the 1st Medical Brigade, the 36th Engineer Brigade and the 85th Civil Affairs Brigade. Units from Fort Hood will provide medical and logistics support, supervise the construction of Ebola-treatment units, conduct site surveys, and provide engineering expertise. Additionally, the Civil Affairs team will provide support to U.S. Africa Command.

Fort Bliss, Texas will send about 500 Soldiers from the 1st Armored Division's aviation brigade to provide lift capability in the area of operations. Fort Carson, Colorado, is contributing about 160 Soldiers from the 4th Engineer Battalion, and Fort Bragg, North Carolina, will send about 120 Soldiers providing engineer and public affairs support. The 20th Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosives (CBRNE) Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, will send about 10 Soldiers for medical-laboratory support. Additionally, civil affairs, combat support and combat service support units from Fort Benning Fort Stewart and Fort Eustis, are providing about 100 Soldiers.

The Army forces will deploy in mid-to late October, and forces may continue to deploy through November, based on support needed and transportation availability.

For additional information, please contact Lt. Col. Don Peters at 703-697-7550 or donald.e.peters.mil@mail.mil; or the public affairs officers at the individual unit or installations identified in this release.

Related Documents:

U.S. Army Units Assist with Africa Response to Ebola Virus [PDF]