More than 50 personnel from U.S. Army Africa are on the ground in Liberia responding to a request from President Barack Obama to assist in the fight against an Ebola outbreak in the region.
A 25-bed clinic for aid workers and two mobile labs have arrived in the country to diagnose the disease, and U.S. Army Africa is also setting up training for health care workers.
On Sept. 16, President Obama issued the following directive:
"At the request of the Liberian government, we're going to establish a military command center in Liberia to support civilian efforts across the region -- similar to our response after the Haiti earthquake. It's going to be commanded by Maj. Gen. Darryl Williams, commander of our Army forces in Africa. He just arrived today and is now on the ground in Liberia. And our forces are going to bring their expertise in command and control, in logistics, in engineering. And our Department of Defense is better at that, our Armed Services are better at that than any organization on Earth."
"President Obama has made it clear the U.S. is committed to all governments in the region, and Liberia has the full backing of the U.S.," United States Ambassador to Liberia Deborah R. Malac said.
Currently, U.S. Army Africa, or USARAF, personnel are working under the direction of the U.S. Agency for International Development, known as USAID, and through U.S. Africa Command in an international humanitarian effort known as Operation United Assistance.
Williams, USARAF commander, explained his command's involvement in Operation United Assistance.
"We are partnering with the Armed Forces of Liberia and they're eager to help their fellow countrymen. Our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines, are working side by side with our Liberian host and will build on our already special relationship," Williams said.
Key in USARAF's mission is the establishment of a 25-bed clinic for aid workers.
"The construction
