USAFE Airmen further US mission to combat Ebola outbreak

Courtesy Photo | During a 60-day deployment, 11 U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa Airmen, built Ebola treatment facilities in Liberia. The Airmen supported the ongoing Operation United Assistance efforts as the first USAFE-AFAFRICA engineer team. (Courtesy photo)  

AVIANO AIR BASE, ITALY

12.14.2014

Story by Senior Airman Matthew Lotz 

31st Fighter Wing

AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy - Two U.S. Air Forces in Europe Airmen returned to Aviano Air Base, Italy, virus-free, Dec. 14, 2014, after supporting the first team to combat the outbreak of Ebola in Liberia.

Master Sgt. Laura Brown and Tech. Sgt. Christopher Estes, 31st Civil Engineer Squadron, deployed to the country for 60 days. As an engineer assistant and structural craftsman, they surveyed potential treatment facilities locations, implemented infrastructure contracts, and constructed tents for Soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division, and repaired the sole-functioning airfield in Liberia. The repair allowed for more than 100 sorties per week from military, civilian and United Nations' aircraft.

"You never know what types of things you will have to do during a deployment; you just hope that the training you received helps prepare you for a situation like this," Brown said. "Overall, we were prepared because we used engineering skills cultivated throughout our Air Force careers."

These subject matter experts supported the ongoing Operation United Assistance efforts as the first USAFE-AFAFRICA engineer team. Each 12-hour day presented new challenges to the 11-man team.

"From the time I stepped off the aircraft, I began site prepping for buildings to house 300 U.S. Army Soldiers," Brown explained. "There are a lot of critical needs there that the Air Force is providing, including our engineering expertise. During our deployment, we surveyed seven locations and built treatment facilities in conjunction with the Armed Forces of Liberia."

With Ebola headlining world news and the U.S. leading the way in combating the outbreak, USAFE's top priority for the team was their safety.

"We took precautions including maintaining distance from locals, avoiding shaking hands, frequently washing hands and checking our temperature multiple times a day," explained Estes.

Estes said the biggest scare they encountered happened before leaving for Liberia.

"I thought the news media spread too much fear about the situation. It made me and my family worried," he said. "When we arrived, a lot of us thought we were safer than people back in states because of the news."

The Airmen entered controlled monitoring upon returning to Italy to ensure they didn't show any symptoms of the Ebola virus.

"The controlled monitoring protocols established a 22-day observation period to ensure we were virus free," Brown said. "During this time, we continued to follow the same precautions we took in Liberia."

Estes described his deployment experience with one word.

"Amazing," he said smiling. "It was very different from other deployments. People welcomed us with open arms. We would fly into villages and everyone was so grateful and thankful that we were trying to help them."

• Date Taken: 12.14.2014
• Date Posted: 12.18.2014 02:23
• Story ID: 150604
• Location: AVIANO AIR BASE, IT