Pentagon to send 2,100 troops to fight Ebola in Africa

The Pentagon has authorized 2,100 Army Reserve and Army National Guard soldiers to be sent to West Africa to help with international efforts to stop the spread of Ebola. 

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel signed an order Thursday authorizing the action, according to Pentagon press secretary Rear Adm. John Kirby. 

{mosads}“Army officials are in the process of notifying individual soldiers and their families of this mobilization,” he said in a statement. “Once all of the appropriate notifications have been completed, we will provide additional information about units and specialties being mobilized.

“These troops will replace forces in Senegal and Liberia who are supporting our whole-of-government response to the most devastating Ebola outbreak in history,” he added. 

Pentagon officials earlier this week said they expect to have only 3,000 troops in West Africa, downgrading their expectations of 4,000 troops. 

Kirby said the soldiers would be trained on Ebola prevention, malaria prevention and other threats before deploying.