Lee Erwin Reporting
lerwin@clarksvillenow.com

FORT CAMPBELL, KY. – Close to 150 Fort Campbell Soldiers spent most of Thursday, October 9 training to protect themselves from the Ebola virus, an enemy too small to be seen, as they prepare for their deployment to Liberia for Operation United Assistance.

See photos here

Over 3,000 Soldiers, 700 from the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) will be going to Liberia to help build treatment centers and help keep medical personnel supplied with what they need to stop the spread of the virus. Since early October an estimated 7,400 people have been infected and close to half have died.

The soldiers were told that Ebola can be lethal and it attacks the blood cells in the body. Along with specifics on the virus the Soldiers were also briefed on avoiding other diseases like Malaria and warned about plants and wildlife that could be harmful.

Along with the briefing the Soldiers were trained in how to properly wear full body suits, masks and gloves. Along with wearing the special gear they were also instructed on how to carefully get in and out of the suits to avoid contamination.
One of the Soldiers, Captain Alex Willard, talked about their upcoming work in Liberia. “The Army’s main mission is just trying to help contain Ebola in West Africa to make sure people over there are safe and to make sure it doesn’t come back over
here,” said Willard.

Another Soldier, Corporal Adrian Collins, talked about the mission. “We’re not going to be in direct contact with the public, we’re going to be in an isolated area. The risks are very low and I don’t really think that anyone in our unit will be in any danger,” said Collins.

The Soldiers deploying are with the 101st Command Group with includes the Commander of the 101st and Fort Campbell, Major General Gary J. Volesky and the new Command Sergeant Major for the Screaming Eagles, Gregory F. Nowak.
In a recent press release Volesky said this about the deployment. “Operation United Assistance is our next Rendezvous with Destiny. We will deploy from Fort Campbell ready to conduct this important mission for as long as required.”