Along with other members of the Tennessee Delegation, I sent a letter to Defense Secretary Hagel. After my briefing on Wednesday at Ft. Campbell, Im asking Sec Hagel for further clarification about the 101st Airborne mission to West Africa. I wanted to share the letter with you- Dear Mr. Secretary: On October 3, 2014 we were advised by the Army that 1,500 members of the 101st Airborne from Fort Campbell would be deployed to West Africa to participate in efforts to quell the Ebola outbreak. We have since been gathering information about the deployment. Many of the brave men and women serving our country at Fort Campbell are our friends, family and constituents. Their families are very concerned about the mission. On Wednesday, Fort Campbell provided us with additional information about the mission but we believe there are several issues that warrant further examination. Therefore, we would request responses to the following inquiries: 1. What is the scope of the mission? Please identify all participating DOD entities, as well as non-DoD entities, working in conjunction with our military. What is the anticipated date for completion of the mission and return of our soldiers? Are the deployed forces receiving combat pay? 2. Will non-DoD entities assist in providing force protection for U.S forces? If so, please identify all participating countries or contractors, their responsibilities, the number of personnel they will be providing, and any other logistical support being contemplated. 3. Will non-DoD entities assist in vetting elements of the force or bio protection or the security teams operating at temporary posts being constructed? 4. Describe in detail the vetting process for elements of force security, non-security contractors, health care workers, and any other non-DoD personnel involved in said mission. 5. Regarding perimeter security, it is our understanding that the Liberian army will be providing the bulk of the external security in that country. Will the Liberian military have final authority over which parties are permitted to access our facilities? Will U.S. forces be allowed to exercise oversight or train non-DoD perimeter forces? 6. Please describe in detail what protective equipment is being issued to our service members? Are all service members being issued the same equipment? If not, please elaborate as to why. 7. Please describe in detail the six hour personal protective equipment training session being given to our service members. Are non-DoD medical professionals participating in these sessions? If so, who are these professionals and what is their level of training and experience? Will sustainment training be offered? If so,at what intervals? 8. What protocols have been developed to treat service members who contract Ebola? Are further protocols being developed? What parties are responsible for drafting these protocols and what is their level of training and experience? 9. What other steps are being taken to mitigate the potential for service members to be infected by the Ebola virus? 10. Please advise what efforts are being made to develop information about possible Green on Blue attacks, regardless of a potential aggressors motivation. 11. Should someone contract Ebola will they be prioritized for treatment with emerging therapies? Will they receive priority treatment at the one of the four Ebola certified treatment hospitals either in Missoula, MT, Omaha, NE, Bethesda, MD, or Atlanta, GA? We believe these inquiries are important and deserving of careful consideration. Please respond to our office within ten days of receipt this letter. Thank you in advance for your cooperation. Sincerely, blackburn.house.gov/uploadedfiles/fort_campbell_letter.pdf
Posted on: Fri, 24 Oct 2014 17:11:44 +0000
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