FORT CARSON, Colo. -- (Oct. 17, 2014) About 160 engineer Soldiers are set to deploy from Fort Carson to Liberia to provide infrastructure support for Operation United Assistance, the U.S. military's response to the Ebola epidemic.
Soldiers from the 615th Engineer Company, 52nd Engineer Battalion, will help construct facilities to support U.S. Africa Command and the U.S. Agency for International Development effort to contain the spread of the Ebola virus in Africa.
The engineers will be part of a total Army effort which includes active-duty, reserve and National Guard Soldiers. The joint operation will include units from other branches of the military services, to include the Marines, Navy, and Air Force, however, the Army is providing the majority of military forces in support of the operation.
A large part of the engineers' mission in Liberia will include improving roads and other infrastructure.
"Most of the roads are unpaved over there," said 1st Sgt. Scott Legg, 615th Eng. "With the country receiving over 200 inches of rain annually, most of the roads are unserviceable. Improving the roads will help the people get the care that they need."
The Soldiers are not expected to have any direct contact with Ebola patients while conducting their mission but will be trained and prepared to reduce the risks of contracting the disease.
"We will do everything required to take care of our Soldiers and their Families," said Commanding General Maj. Gen. Paul J. LaCamera, 4th Infantry Division and Joint Task Force Carson. "Our priority is to ensure our Soldiers receive the necessary training and equipment to answer our nation's call and accomplish this mission."
All troops deploying to Liberia will receive specific medical training, developed in conjunction with the U.S. Army Public Health Command, and use specialized personal protection equipment to ensure they are protected from exposure to Ebola.
Sgt. Ryan Harris, horizontal construction engineer, 615th Eng., said he looks forward to improving the roads and treatment sites to facilitate people receiving needed care.
"I'm not worried about the threat of Ebola," Harris said. "We have proper equipment to protect ourselves."
Sgt. Chris Wanamaker, supply specialist, 615th Eng., said although he is scared of the current situation he is putting aside that fear to help others in need.
"I feel pretty good to be deploying to Africa on a mission," he said. "I am afraid of the unknown; however, if the work we do saves one life it will be worth facing that fear."
Legg said he could not be more proud of his Soldiers stepping up and facing their fear to do their job in the face of adversity.
"I am excited for the opportunity to help the people of Liberia directly," Legg said. "I am proud of my Soldiers. They have voiced to me that they have fear, but they want to provide help to the people during their time of need. They have the fortitude to look danger in the eye and move past (it) to help."
If Families have any questions related to the Ebola virus or to the upcoming deployment they can go to www.carson.army.mil website and click on the Ebola link that will be up soon.
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