I'm concerned for the 3000 plus troops we're sending to West Africa

[cwydro]

to "fight Ebola."

Exactly what will they be doing? If a cameraman can catch it (supposedly without direct contact), where does that leave our troops?

Someone tell me there's a good reason for them being there. I mean, are they medically trained troops? Are they engineering troops who will build clinics? What exactly are that many troops going to be doing?

I'm truly perplexed. And when one gets sick, will they have to depend on a VA Hospital?

Gah! The mind boggles.

[MohRokTah]

1. HAve you ever had military training on biological warfare?

The military is one of the best equipped organizations to deal with biological threats.

Although I must say, I do not envy them wearing the gear in West Africa. They'll be able to work about four hours daily.

[cwydro]

6. I have great mistrust in our military leadership. Not in the troops.

I just want to know what they are going to be doing there.

Even the troops in Iraq complained how their gas masks etc. did not work.

They were sent into Iraq by Bushco without the proper equipment. I just worry the same will happen again.

[AnalystInParadise]

23. Ummmm

hate to break it to you, but the 101st is not taking their J-List suits, it is not on the packing list.

And yes this is anecdotal, but I speak daily (by phone or email) with the G-2 SGM at the 101st as we are old buddies from when we both joined over 20 years ago.

Secondly, I have received the training, and the training given to NON-CBRNE soldiers is once a year or every other year you watch some videos, go to the gas chamber and put on your gear. Sometimes there is gas in the chamber, but since the sequestration there is not always funding for live gas (TEAR GAS by the way) and we just pretend.

So no, the VAST bulk of the U.S. Army does little to no CBRNE training.

[davidpdx]

35. I can corrobrate what you are saying about the training

I have a friend in the Navy who has to do the same thing before deployment. She was over in Afghanistan (but isn't now) and was telling me about going through that whole routine. The gas chamber thing doesn't sound too pleasant, but apparently after you have done it a few times it gets easier.

[liberalmuse]

36. Yep.

I was an NBC Specialist, and am not all that confident in the equipment and training provided by the Army for NBC Specialist, never mind the scarce opportunities I was given to train the rest of my unit. We had outdated and quite a bit of defective equipment that was slow to be replaced. The training itself made me think it was more for appearance than it was for casualty prevention. Let's face it, you are only a number in the military, and all that is important is staying alive long enough to complete the mission. If you die, you can be replaced. Cynical, I know.

[AnalystInParadise]

37. Which is why

I find it insane that we are sending a FORSCOM unit to this mission. I am flabbergasted that the 101st is who was chosen for this type of missions, it makes no sense. They don't have the training, they don't have the right MTOE and they don't have the right troops to tasks list for this.

[msanthrope]

42. The threat of violence, I think. nt

[AnalystInParadise]

44. MP Brigades

are geared for this type of mission and have their own Command and Control, Intelligence and other Combat Support Functions. We are sending an Infantry Command Post full of Air Assault soldiers who are less than a year removed from fighting and killing large groups of insurgents. This is an insane troops to tasks pairing. We have MP Brigades, we have medical Brigades, we have Engineer Brigades, ALL with their own troops to tasks lists that fit a situation like EBOLA. Sending in a Combatant Command is nuts, they have one job, coordinating COMBAT elements. The other Brigades I mentioned are geared SPECIFICALLY for a mission like crowd control and disaster relief in a hostile environment. A Regional Medical Command element from Fort Detrick where they handle diseases like this is the right move, sending a Task Force Command Post full of Infantry officers and Former Rangers a crazy idea. I do not understand.

[Recursion]

38. MOPP IV doesn't meet CDC specs

And at any rate, we still know very little about the actual etiology here. Back in the 70s, some nurses got Ebola and Marburg while the ones right next to them didn't. Is there a genetic susceptibility? Viral cofactors? We don't know, and it's hard to justify the definite exposure to heat casualties if you can't say the gear causing them will work.

[ecstatic]

2. It's predicted that over 1.4 million will be infected by January.

This is a worldwide threat. Not sure what the answer is, but we're all doomed if the number gets that high.

[Warren Stupidity]

10. we are not all doomed if the numbers get that high.

When I saw your headline, I thought perhaps some sanity was involved, like for example that millions of people are at risk in West Africa and we should do whatever we can to contain this awful disease, even if that means some of our people are put at risk in that effort. But alas, this is the internets.

[ecstatic]

17. Um, that is what I meant. I was responding to the OP. Sorry

if my point wasn't clear.

[Texasgal]

3. Let's not do anything and let

ebola take over and spread.

[freshwest]

4. And repeal Obamacare! The GOP says that will stop it!

to Pryderi:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=5625918

[cwydro]

7. Of course we should do whatever we can.

Just curious WHAT they will be doing?

[riverwalker]

5. some articles here

my grandson may have to go, so I am following pretty close.

http://www.stripes.com/news/africa/us-military-to-put-up-tent-at-liberia-ebola-clinic-1.306880

http://www.armytimes.com/article/20140930/NEWS08/309300063/

[cwydro]

8. Thank you for this.

I just want to know what the plans are...

Our troops have been thrown into the maw of misery too many times.

[pinboy3niner]

9. Here's another one quoting the Commanding General of the 101st Airborne Division

101st deploying to Liberia to fight Ebola epidemic
http://www.fortcampbellcourier.com/news/article_68d50d32-4a7a-11e4-9137-b3c8c53a732d.html

[cwydro]

14. Thanks. Ya know -

I should have searched for military articles on this. I appreciate you and the previous poster directing me there.

[morningfog]

11. This is one miltary deployment I support 100%.

I think more western nations should send more troops and more resources. Our best shot at containing this is to....well.... contain it.

It is already starting to slip through, ever so slightly and not to the point of concern. But, purely from a humanitarian sense, we need to go help the West African nations get this under control.

[cwydro]

12. Completely agree we have to contain it. And not us. Other nations as well.

That's why I'm opposed to any cessation of flights to and from those countries.

Yes, nice to see a military deployment to SAVE lives instead of to take them.

Truly curious however, as to what EXACTLY their daily duties would be.

And I just want to know they're protected as best as they can be.

[morningfog]

15. I think the intitial mission is building ebola treatment tents, stocking them

and protecting the supplies.

[jen63]

40. They are being sent to build

more infrastructure. The Seabees have been there in advance of the army troops to ready the infrastructure. It's my understanding that they will not be seeing or treating ebola patients. They are setting up more clinics to handle the influx of patients with supplies, etc. They are stationed in the Eastern side of the continent. I know parents who have kids being sent; although they aren't allowed to disclose what their mission its. I would also venture to guess that peacekeeping and education is part of their mission, as things seem to be getting out of hand.

[RobertEarl]

13. You should be concerned

We all should. They are fighting an enemy that can't be seen, can't be shot at, can only be run from. And they are being placed right in the middle of it.

Let's hope all the very best of equipment is given them and the people there shower them with flowers. Wait, where have I heard that before????

[cwydro]

16. Yeah, it's the best of equipment thing that worries me...

Sigh.

They are on the best of missions. Let them be safe and save lives as well.

[Warpy]

18. I think they're meant to guard treatment centers in Liberia

where superstitious people who let themselves be guided by the ignorant, godly fucks who see medicine costing them business have been a real problem, raiding clinics and killing personnel.

That sort of thing is less of a problem outside Liberia. Maybe they'll just be patrolling and enforcing first curfew and then quarantine.

As long as they stay away from the local hookers, they'll likely be fine, but Ebola is an STD.

[cwydro]

21. Yeah, I've read about those attacks on clinics.

Well, this is the kind of mission that can make us proud to be the country we are.

This disease has got to be stopped.

Now a case in Spain. What next?

We've defeated so many vicious diseases. I hope this will be one of them.

[Warpy]

22. This one is especially diabolical because it kills the very people who could help

a sick person overcome it. It also takes very little direct exposure and the disease is so virulent that only a few viri can replicate quickly and kill.

Ultraviolet light and bleach will be our greatest allies, I think.

[Boomer]

19. This fight really matter

I support this mission for our troops more than any other we've taken in recent times. It's going to provide more real protection than killing people, and compared to combat missions it's far safer.

The affected areas need a public health system infrastructure. We can provide buildings, medical supplies, maintenance, training.

[freshwest]

20. Louie Gohmert is concerned about this:

Meanwhile, in other news:

Citing security threat, Obama expands U.S. role fighting Ebola (Posted for my fellow BOGsters)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/110225557

Rebuttals to the negative conservative comments at the source of the above:

I have to say that most of the posters here should be ashamed of their comments. They show your lack of understanding of the world as well as a couple with some thinly veiled racism. None of you could be involved with a church that sends medical people throughout the world to help in countries where people are dying. You also don’t have any friends or relatives working in the oils business who work in places like this. You all should work on your compassion a wee bit.

Y’all, of course, realize that the US military doesn’t just consist of guys with guns, right? There are engineers, doctors, nurses, scientists. Heck, there already is one health center in Liberia being run by US military personnel. And, of course, if the US sends engineers, doctors and nurses in there will need to be some guys with guns to protect them. Why should we do that? Because ebola will spread. The CDC is already working with hospitals in the US on how to deal with it. It is in our interest to contain that and minimize the impact. also, troops have been training for germ warfare, exposure to this type of situation.

Why do people think ISIS needs to be contained but not Ebola? Why do people think that people who wish harm to the US are not trying to leverage the outbreak of Ebola against the US? This is why we cannot allow this to fester in anarchy. That, and we are human beings who are supposed to care about other defenseless humans beings who are suffering from this outbreak.

This will be a great opportunity for our CBN (chemical biological nuclear)Trained troops to get the real hands on Bio-warfare training. Good to have this knowledge for the future. With Synthetic Biology and the ease of modifying the genetics of organisms, we will see terrorists and even Military uses of Hemorrhagic and other diseases in our lifetimes. If ISIS or some other group got one of their members sick then he could be transported to USA or Europe and blow himself up in a crowed place. You Obama haters better use logic and not emotion with this issue.

The 1918 Flu originated in Haskell County, Kansas, spread to US Army bases, went to surrounding cities, went to US ports, and went to foreign ports and Europe. It was called the Spanish Flu because most countries, including the US, Allies, and Central Powers, had censorship to conceal bad news, so Spanish newspapers were the only source of information about the 1918 Influenza Epidemic that came from the US. It should have been called the Kansas Flu.

Folks, there are daily flights from the Unites States to these West African countries and back. Some of those arriving on the flights are your neighbors, co-workers, children’s classmates, neighborhood small business employees, etc. The United States is the largest melting pot in the world as far as people diversity goes. Even if direct flights to these countries are stopped, you cannot stop people from seeing their family members – they’ll always find a way. It is in your best interest that the United States helps to contain the disease there in West Africa than wait for it to get here. Its only a matter of time before it gets here.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/09/16/us-health-ebola-obama-idUSKBN0HB08S20140916

There were responses to posts claiming that the Spanish Flu was why we went to WW1, and part of President Wilson's plot to kill Americans.

More posters pushed the theme that Obama wants infected troops to come back and decimate the American population in the same way.

The rebuttals show a realistic world view. We should go abroad since whatever is going on elsewhere, will be here. Because we are an immigrant culture and government must take action to protect all of us.

The GOP's response to the call for Ebola aid was to slash the funding:

GOP House guts White House’s request for funds to fight and contain Ebola

By David Ferguson - September 9, 2014

House Republicans have gutted a White House-sponsored bill that would direct funding to the fight to contain the hemorrhagic fever Ebola, which is raging out of control in multiple African countries.

The Hill blog reported that a source familiar with the budget negotiations confirmed that House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers (R-KY) will agree to provide only $40 million of the $88 million the Obama administration asked for in its 2015 budget.

Twenty-five million dollars of the $40 million would go to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and $15 to the Biological Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) in order to speed up production of an experimental anti-Ebola drug.

The Obama administration originally asked for $58 million for BARDA, a division of the Department of Health and Human Services. The agency is tasked with coordinating the nation’s response to public health crises, including medical testing, vaccines, drug development and other products and services associated with “public health and medical consequences of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) accidents, incidents and attacks, pandemic influenza, and emerging infectious diseases.”

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/09/09/gop-house-guts-white-houses-request-for-funds-to-fight-and-contain-ebola/

to unhappycamper:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1104866

Hysteria obscures the good news:

NIH To Launch Early Ebola Vaccine Trials In September. Results due by January 2015.

to Dhhhd:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025316867#op

There are more links with information in that thread.

BTW, the number has been increased from 3,000 to 4,000.

[cwydro]

24. Ebola worries me more than ISIS.

Whole nother subject, but I don't support our bombings in that regard.

I do support the Ebola mission - just wanted more specifics.

This is what I love about DU - it's the best go-to source I know.

I thank all who have answered - especially you folks that provided the links.

[Agnosticsherbet]

25. Active duty military will be cared for in a Military hospital.

So that takes care of "What if they get sick?"
A lot of those troops will be doctors, corpsmen, and nurses.
Others will be sitting up hospitals, driving ambulances, managing equipment, and security.
The good reason for being there? People are dying and the countries have few doctors or trained medical personnel of any kind. Just leaving them to die is on their own is inhuman and inhumane. This is a classic humanitarian mission, not unlike the military men and women sent after the Tsunami in Asia, the Earthquake in Japan, or the Earthquake in Haiti.

I know many think that the only purpose of he military is to go to foreign countries, meet interesting people, and kill them, but humanitarian missions have always been an important part of what they do.

[cwydro]

27. Please don't misunderstand.

I don't doubt their mission. Or its importance.

I wanted to know exactly what they'll be doing. Too many times our troops are thrown into harms way with no clearly defined objective.

And I want to know they'll be safe and have the proper equipment.

I served in the military. A long time ago.

Recent (and not even so recent) events make me wary when the troops are deployed.

[Agnosticsherbet]

41. I retired from the military.

Last edited Tue Oct 7, 2014, 05:04 PM - Edit history (1)

They will have proper equipment.
They will not be safe. If it were safe, there would be no need to send them there.

I think the US miliary has sometimes been misused badly. For that reason, there are many who do not like the miltary, blaming the institution for the falt of it's commanders.

[magical thyme]

26. they will be building clinics, repairing the landing strips and providing logistical support

They are the best in the world at logistics -- getting massive amounts of supplies and equipment to where it is needed.

But I am worried about them as well. Shades of Spanish flu, which spread like wildfire through the troops.

[cwydro]

28. You hit the nail on the head.

Never good at OPs, which is why I rarely post them.

Just worry on my part.

This old critter has to hit the hay because work comes early.

But I think most of is are on the same page with this.

Obama said that it's up to us - with our know-how, our doctors, etc.

I know we can do it. I'm just a worrywart on too many levels. Especially with the troops. They've been carrying a very heavy load for too long.

[magical thyme]

30. I'll feel a lot better when a vaccine is available. Also when fall foliage leaf peeping season ends.

I've been telling myself I'm pretty lucky. We have a Somalian community here in Maine, but they're on the opposite side of Africa, with ocean on one side and very strong countries on the other. They're a mess, so not a place you would try to run to with Ebola. We had a Somalian in our lab, excellent tech and he got a job a couple years ago at a big hospital south of me.

We get a lot of international travelers, but not from Africa. Mostly European and some Asian. So shit got a little more real to me today.

Last week, it was quiet at the lab and I made a point of following protocol closely. We were taught in school to never trust that the tech before you followed protocol. So you come in and immediately get out the disinfectant and start cleaning the bench. Gloves even handling closed tubes, change gloves constantly, etc.

I couldn't *believe* how lax things where when I came to the lab where I work. A few years later, and I realized I've really slipped. So I'm going back to basics.

The cleaning is easy. The problem is what you do when you are distracted or tired. I cannot believe how many times I found myself trying to adjust my glasses or get them out of my way or unconsciously scratch an itch. I'm going to have to work on it. hard.

[cwydro]

31. Fall foliage peeping season!

Ok, you made me laugh before bed.

Sarcastic or not, that was giggle-worthy

[Marrah_G]

29. Engineering, logistics, transportation

This is what they do.

[JI7]

32. i'm guessing they will be better off than those in iraq, afghanistan etc

i think it would be better if the militaries of the world's nations were helping to fight something like ebola rather than fighting each other.

[cwydro]

33. This is something that I completely agree is true. nt

[applegrove]

34. Vibes to them

[Recursion]

39. What they will be doing

Building hospitals and clinics

Building latrines

Purifying and distributing water

Building housing for displaced persons

Eradicating mosquito breeding grounds (malaria still kills more people)

The US military is insanely good at logistics.

[FSogol]

43. Exactly. NPR had a good story this morning on a hospital they are building

"On Sept. 8, Obama pledged that the U.S. would construct a 25-bed hospital outside Monrovia, the capital, to treat health care workers. They've been bearing the brunt of the outbreak: In Liberia alone, at least 188 health workers have been infected and 94 have died.

Then on Sept. 16, Obama announced a massive response to the outbreak, involving thousands of U.S. troops on the ground to train health care workers, deliver relief supplies and build 17 Ebola treatment centers for the general public.

At the time of announcement, Obama stressed that time is of the essence. "It's spiraling out of control. It is getting worse. It's spreading faster and exponentially," he said at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. "Today, thousands of people in West Africa are infected. That number could rapidly grow to tens of thousands."

Yet progress on the hospitals has been slow."

Listen or read the whole story here:

http://www.npr.org/blogs/goatsandsoda/2014/10/07/354121449/the-u-s-ebola-hospitals-in-liberia-are-going-up-slowly