Fort Bragg soldiers to help contain Ebola in Africa
FORT BRAGG, N.C. (WTVD) -- More than 100 Fort Bragg soldiers will join the fight to keep the Ebola virus from spreading.
Friday, the Pentagon announced that about 120 Fort Bragg troops will deploy to Africa on a humanitarian aid mission. The soldiers are engineers. They repair and replace roads and bridges, and build new structures. Military support personnel from the 44th Medical Brigade are also going, as well as a company of Military Police.
A Pentagon spokesman says the troops will help support medical efforts and security in Africa.
"We are not treating patients," said Pentagon Press Secretary Rear Admiral John Kirby. "The troops are not equipped to do that. That's not their jobs, but we will help establish the infrastructure, health facilities, and emergency treatment units -- that kind of thing so that the health care workers can do their job."
Many residents around Fort Bragg asked if the benefits of the mission are worth the risk.
"I think our soldiers are better fit to combat war, than combat a virus", said Fayetteville resident Johnna Derosier.
"Right now, with everything that is going on, with the infection and everything, I would not want to [send troops]," said another resident.
Her friend, Jennine Goessens, echoed that sentiment.
"I think that they have been put in harm's way enough, and I think that they should stay home right now," said Goessens. "I just don't think it's worth the risks."
Several other residents said they felt confident the doctors and medical experts can keep the virus from spreading.
The Pentagon says a total of 3,000 to 4,000 troops will be a part of the effort. The bulk of those troops will come from military units around the country including Fort Hood, the 101st at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, as well as troops from Fort Stewart and Fort Benning.
Womack Army Medical center at Fort Bragg is already planning and training to handle any soldiers who might get sick.
Col. Jeff Morgan says Womack has hazmat gear, or personal protective equipment, that the hospital staff have trained with.
"We continue to train more people, or are in the process of training to take care of patients in ICU," said Morgan. "Our capacity is not extensive for those rooms. We can end up taking three to four patients here and treating them. If we had to do a large scale operation, we would require some additional support."
Fort Bragg troops should start deploying later this month. Until then, the troops will get extra training on protecting themselves from the virus.
