DoD News, Defense Media Activity
WASHINGTON, Feb. 11, 2015 – Most Defense Department
personnel who deployed to West Africa to support the U.S. Agency for
International Development and international partners in fighting Ebola at its
source already have returned to their home stations, and nearly all will return
home over the next two months, Pentagon Press Secretary Navy Rear Adm. John
Kirby said last night.
In a statement, Kirby said DoD will identify 100 personnel
who will maintain a continued presence in the region, working to strengthen the
disease preparedness and surveillance capacity of the national governments.
“DoD personnel will build on a strong military partnership
with the armed forces of Liberia to enhance their Ebola response efforts and
provide disaster response training to the government of Liberia,” the admiral
said.
Life-saving Resources
Starting in September, the Defense Department has delivered
critical life-saving resources, built Ebola treatment units, trained hundreds
of local and international health care workers and provided logistical support
to humanitarian and public health workers who provided care throughout West
Africa.
At the height of the epidemic, 2,800 DoD personnel were
deployed to West Africa. About 1,500 of those personnel have returned home,
Kirby said, and nearly all of the rest will be home by April 30. All have or
will undergo established controlled monitoring procedures, he noted.
To support the 10,000 civilian responders who remain on the
ground in West Africa, he added, the Defense Department will leave behind
assets that can help health workers stem potential future outbreaks.
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel is grateful to the men and
women of the U.S. military and their families who supported Operation United
Assistance, Kirby said. “Their swift response demonstrates the need to maintain
readiness, capacity and capabilities to respond to the diverse array of
challenges facing the United States and our partners,” he added.
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