USAFE Airmen further US mission to combat Ebola outbreak

During a 60-day deployment, 11 U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa Airmen, built Ebola treatment facilities in Liberia, Africa. The Air Force engineer team surveyed seven locations, setup living quarters for more than 500 incoming U.S. Army personnel and built several treatment facilities in conjunction with the Armed Forces of Liberia in continuing support of Operation United Assistance. (Courtesy photo)

USAFE Airmen further US mission to combat Ebola outbreak

As a part of Operation United Assistance, 11 U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa Airmen, assisted in building Ebola treatment facilities, during a 60-day deployment in Liberia, Africa. After staying in controlled monitoring for 22 days, the Airmen were allowed to return to their home stations, Dec. 14, 2014. (Courtesy photo)

USAFE Airmen further US mission to combat Ebola outbreak

Tech. Sgt. Robert Lloyd, 786th Civil Engineer Squadron pavements and equipment operator, takes a picture with children during a 60-day deployment to Liberia, Africa. Eleven U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa engineers, started the first operations to build Ebola treatment facilities in support of Operation United Assistance. (Courtesy photo)

USAFE Airmen further US mission to combat Ebola outbreak

Published Dec. 17, 2014
By Senior Airman Matthew Lotz
31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs

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."