ARLINGTON, Va. - Army National Guard units from six states will begin training shortly for their spring mobilization to Liberia in support of Operation United Assistance.
Operation United Assistance (OUA) is the military effort behind the United States Agency for International Development's (USAID) support to West Africa in its effort to curb the outbreak of Ebola virus.
National Guard troops will not be involved in direct patient care of the local population, officials said in a weekend news release.
About 1,200 Army Guard Soldiers will be mobilized, according to the Department of Defense.
"Preserving the health of our Soldiers is the highest priority for this mission," said Army Maj. Gen. Neal Loidolt, commanding general of Minnesota's 34th Infantry Division.
Minnesota will send nearly 700 34th Red Bull Infantry Division members to Liberia for about six months, officials said.
The Minnesota Citizen-Soldiers will be assigned to synchronize the operations, logistics, personnel and resources of U.S. military forces assigned to the area.
"And importantly for the Liberian people, the Minnesota National Guard presence will provide confidence that something can and will be done to stop the spread of disease," said Army Maj. Gen. Rick Nash, the adjutant general of the Minnesota National Guard.
In Kansas, about 170 Soldiers from the 891st Engineer Battalion Headquarters, Headquarters Company and Field Support Company, based in Isola, will deploy. The battalion members will build medical facilities and deploy for about six months with the potential to serve up to one year, a state news release said.
"We will provide our Soldiers with the best possible training to conduct their mission and the necessary protocols and preventative measures needed to stay safe," said Maj. Gen. Lee Tafanelli, the Kansas adjutant general.
Iowa's Army National Guard will be sending about 80 Soldiers from the 294th Area Support Medical Company, based in Washington, Iowa. The unit provides medical support, including triage, basic medical treatment and sustainment of life, plus transport of sick or injured patients.
The Iowa unit deployed in West Africa will provide direct patient care to U.S. Department of Defense personnel and coalition service members. U.S. military personnel are not involved in the direct patient care of the local population.
In Ohio, about 130 Soldiers from the Columbus-based Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 16th Engineer Brigade, may deploy in spring when it could be involved in a mission such as oversight of construction clinics to treat Ebola patients, an Ohio National Guard news release said.
"The Soldiers of the 16th Engineer Brigade have the skill sets and track record to perform their work to the highest standards, and they will receive all the equipment, preparation and training resources necessary to achieve their mission safely and successfully," said Maj. Gen. Deborah A. Ashenhurst, Ohio's adjutant general.
Joining the other Soldiers will be more than 150 engineers with two companies of the Texas Army National Guard.The two companies identified to provide support are the 236th Engineer Company, 111th Engineer Battalion, located in Lewisville and the 272nd Engineer Company, 386th Engineer Battalion, from Angleton. Both are aligned under the 176th Engineer Brigade, Texas Army National Guard.
"The Citizen-Soldiers representing Texas are experienced professionals and will bring a wealth of knowledge to the mission," said Maj. Gen. John F. Nichols, the adjutant general of Texas. "We are proud to serve our state and nation during this time of need and be a part of this larger effort."
While deployed, the engineers' mission will be to provide vertical engineering capabilities to include the building of support structures for operational and medical needs in the region. These Texas-based Guardsmen will be part of a multi-state effort and will remain mobilized for no more than one year.
California's 223rd Military Intelligence Battalion of San Francisco will also provide personnel. It includes interpreters, translators as well as counter-intelligence and interrogation specialists.
The Army says all Guard Soldiers who return from duty will undergo a 21-day "controlled monitoring period" to ensure they are healthy and have not contracted Ebola.