By Nick Simeone
DoD News, Defense Media Activity
WASHINGTON, Nov. 17, 2014 – Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel
thanked troops at Kentucky’s Fort Campbell today for making a “huge difference”
in working to contain the spread of Ebola in West Africa, and characterized the
deadly disease as being as serious a threat to the world as terrorism.
“You all understand the perils, the threats, the challenges
that face our country,” Hagel told troops during a visit to the base as he made
his way back to Washington from four days on the road visiting bases and
service personnel around the country. “The challenges and threats that face our
country in the world today are not just from Islamic fundamentalists or from
terrorists but from health diseases and pandemic health threats that threaten
the world. Ebola is part of that overall scope of threats.”
Hundreds of troops from Fort Campbell are among the more
than 2,200 U.S. service personnel deployed to West Africa as part of Operation
United Assistance, the military operation that is supporting U.S and
international efforts to stop the spread of Ebola. The disease has killed more
than 5,100 people in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea since March. The United
Assistance mission is being led from Liberia by Fort Campbell’s commander, Army
Maj. Gen. Gary. J. Volesky, who also commands the 101st Airborne Division.
Hagel credited the military as being perhaps the best
equipped institution in the world for helping to stop the spread of Ebola and
told troops that their contribution has made a significant difference. “I do
think that what you all have been responsible for so far has made a huge
difference in containing Ebola,” Hagel said, but cautioned that it is too early
to determine how long the mission in West Africa will last
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