FORT BENNING, Ga., (April 1, 2015) -- The 14th Combat Support Hospital held a deployment ceremony March 26 to send off five Soldiers to West Africa to assist in the efforts of Operation United Assistance.
14th CSH Soldiers Capt. David Alford, Maj. Savannah Brookhart, Staff Sgt. Chaffee Cohen, Capt. Jose Garza and Spc. Mohammad Conteh are replacing Soldiers of the 86th Combat Support Hospital in West Africa. The Soldiers will be deployed between six and nine months, said Brookhart, a certified registered nurse and anesthetist.
Brookhart said the deployment is something different from her previous deployments, adding she has never been on a humanitarian mission before.
"I'm excited because I know we are very good at what we do," Brookhart said.
The mission in Africa is to provide surgical support for troops currently in Africa as well as the embassy personnel, Brookhart said.
"The mission you are doing is important," said Lt. Col. Richard Morton, chief nurse, 14th CSH.
It entails the support of folks who are in need and have been faced with a tremendous challenge created by disease.
"Gen. George Patton once described Africa as an untapped, unique opportunity for the U.S. to look out, beyond the scope of what we're doing, into an opportunity that has reach throughout the world," Morton said.
As a precaution, Brookhart said the Soldiers went through extensive training not only concerning the Ebola virus, but also other African diseases such as malaria. The unit also went to Miami to participate in trauma training.
"We are absolutely prepared, not only to take care of non-battle disease, but also to take care of patients who need us in case of trauma," Brookhart said. "I think that we got outstanding training preparing for this mission. It's really irreplaceable training."
Additionally, the deployed Soldiers will undergo 21 days of controlled monitoring upon their return home.
Within the ceremony, Morton reminded Families that 14th CSH stands behind them while their loved ones are deployed.
"You are the center of our responsibility here, so that the focus of our Soldiers can be their mission down range," Morton said.
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