Wright-Patt reservists join Ebola support operations in West Africa

  • Published
  • By 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  Two aircrews of three Airmen each from the 445th Airlift Wing's 89th Airlift Squadron departed Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Oct. 16 to deliver cargo in support of Ebola stricken regions of West Africa.

The crew was scheduled to pick up cargo in Pennsylvania and transport it to Monrovia, Liberia.

"We are excited to have the opportunity to help the people in Africa as they fight to eradicate the Ebola virus. We're glad to be a part of this vital effort," said Capt. Dustin Cramer, 89th Airlift Squadron aircraft commander.

The U.S. military is providing medical personnel to   support health care provider training, engineers to construct Ebola treatment units, logisticians and other transportation personnel to support the regional intermediate staging base, as well as command and control staff for the Joint Force Command headquarters in Liberia.

"I am proud of our aircrew who are supporting this vital effort," said Col. Jeffrey McGalliard, 445th Airlift Wing commander. "This mission will deliver critical supplies to the region. The crew will be stopping briefly and leaving the area within three hours, and there is little danger of the crew or aircraft coming into contact with personnel affected by Ebola."

While there should be no danger to these crew members, they received briefings from the 88th Air Base Wing Medical Group prior to departure on precautions to take to further minimize any chance   of exposure. Crew members were briefed and trained on how to handle any medical concerns.

The crew flying the C-17 Globemaster III will not return home to Wright-Patterson AFB for about a week.

The president considers containing the spread of Ebola to be a national security priority that will require mobilizing the collective resources of the international community.

The Pentagon is sending up to 4,000 U.S. troops to West Africa -- as part of a multi-international joint task force for the effort dubbed in Operation United Assistance -- to build field hospitals, analyze Ebola samples at mobile labs, train medical workers and provide other help to battle the virus outbreak that has killed thousands on the continent. U.S. troops were not providing direct care to infected patients, according to the Defense Department.