Face of Defense: Soldiers to Support Operation United Assistance

By Air Force Senior Airman Kayla Newman
633rd Air Base Wing

JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va., Oct. 17, 2014 – Soldiers assigned to the 53rd Transportation Battalion (Movement Control), 7th Transportation Brigade (Expeditionary) are preparing to deploy to West Africa in support of efforts to counter the Ebola outbreak.

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Kevin Baird, 53rd Transportation Battalion movement control commander, participates in a vehicle rollover exercise at Fort Eustis, Va., Oct. 15, 2014. The rollover training was conducted to ensure soldiers can properly and safely exit an overturned vehicle during a deployment. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kayla Newman   (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

The 53rd Transportation Battalion (MC) based here specializes in the movement of soldiers, equipment and other critical assets to deployed locations. While in West Africa, the troops will be responsible for moving medical and construction equipment to support the building of an Ebola treatment facility.

"The mission of the 53rd Transportation Battalion (MC) will be to provide movement control, which is controlling the logistics of equipment and personnel that are moving in and around the theater," said Army Lt. Col. Kevin Baird, the 53rd’s commander. "The mission we will conduct is our doctrinal mission and we are honored to be a part of this humanitarian effort."

Protective equipment training

Baird said the deploying soldiers will be focused strictly on logistics. However, he added, the soldiers have received training on personal protective equipment as a precautionary measure.

"The primary reason we are here is to train the soldiers should they be introduced into an environment where senior leadership thinks they need to take an additional protective posture level," said Garry Carter, the emergency management chief with the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases.

"We ensure the staff and soldiers are properly trained in donning and doffing PPE, so they have the tools available to protect themselves if necessary," Carter added.

Along with the wearing and removal of PPE, deploying personnel were also trained in how to decontaminate themselves and their equipment if a potential exposure occurs.

In addition to equipment training, soldiers also received refresher training in exiting vehicles in case of an accident.

"In the deployed environment, the roads aren't like here in the United States; the roads are uneven and there are more hills and ditches so there is the possibility of a vehicle rolling over," said Army Staff Sgt. Edward Clarke, 53rd Transportation Battalion (MC) cargo specialist.

Vehicle safety training

Clarke added that the training helps soldiers prepare for the most difficult part of a vehicle rollover, which is safely exiting the vehicle while being disorientated and attending to possible injuries that can occur.

The 53rd Transportation Battalion (MC) has been tasked with supporting the crisis in the areas of engineering, logistics and training of local health care workers. Although, service members here are eager to provide a helping hand, they will not provide direct medical care to infected patients in Africa.

"We have been well-trained, and we are prepared to do this mission. I am confident that the equipment and training we have will protect us," Baird said. "While this is a different mission, we are still going to go over and make a difference for the families, the people in Africa, and the world."