Obama May Send National Guard to Liberia to Fight Ebola: Sources

[Purveyor]

— Jim Miklaszewski and Courtney Kube

President Barack Obama is expected to issue an executive order Thursday paving the way for the deployment of National Guard forces to Liberia to help contain the Ebola outbreak there, sources told NBC News.

The sources said that eight engineers and logistical specialists from the Guard, both active-duty and reservists, would probably be included in the first deployment. They are expected to help build 17 Ebola treatment centers, with 100 beds apiece. The sources said that no decision had been made.

Defense Department officials said that the executive order was necessary to speed the deployments, and would allow the president to send additional forces as needed. Health officials have recorded more than 2,400 Ebola deaths in Liberia, the highest of any country.

http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/ebola-virus-outbreak/obama-may-send-national-guard-liberia-fight-ebola-sources-n227336

[OffWithTheirHeads]

1. what the fuck is the NG supposed to do? Shoot the Ebola? We should be sending doctors and supplies

not Guns!

[amandabeech]

3. They are going to build treatment facilities, like field hospitals and clinics.

Obama has said that something like 3,000 uniformed military will go to Liberia. Some of those will be military medical personnel; others will do supportive things.

I'm not particularly pleased about sending the Guard over there, but at least Obama is doing what his experts tell him, which is to attack the disease at its heart.

IIRC, all military personnel will be restricted in their movement and monitored closely for 21 days after their return. They'll be under orders, so theoretically, they must comply.

[4Q2u2]

4. Military is already there.

There are also large security issues to deal with in some of these countries Boko Haram would love nothing better than to kidnapp American Doctors.


http://www.sunherald.com/2014/09/30/5829885/nmcb-133-joining-the-fight-against.html

http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Africa/2014/0730/Nigerians-already-embattled-by-Boko-Haram-scramble-to-contain-Ebola-threat-video

[Nuclear Unicorn]

5. Did you read the article or just emote?

And historically, the NG has been called out in times of disaster to aid relief efforts. In my state they even help on fire lines when forest fires get too far out of control.

Not every thing the military does involves force. It's and organized and equipped pool of highly trained and experienced people. It's only natural they would be on the short list.

[brentspeak]

2. Will they all be fitted with special protection suits, all of the time? n/t