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Details of ebola deployment announced
ebola in africa
The release from Fort Stewart did not say where the 82nd Civil Affairs Battalion soldiers would deploy. - photo by CDC graphic

Thirty-two Fort Stewart soldiers from the 82nd Civil Affairs Battalion will deploy to Liberia in support of Operation United Assistance, according to a news release from the post.

The soldiers will deploy in early November and serve as a liaison between Army and military organizations and United States Agency for International Development, Department of State and other U.S. and international government organizations.

Operation United Assistance is the U.S. military’s response in support of USAID and the U.S. Army is part of a joint effort that will include forces from all DoD.

In preparation for this mission, the soldiers have completed training on personal protective equipment and procedures to protect themselves from a variety of infectious diseases found throughout the region.

The soldiers will most likely deploy for six to eight months and will fall under the command of U.S. Africa Command’s Joint Force Command United Assistance once in Africa.

“These soldiers are not expected to have contact with anyone infected with ebola,” the release said. “As a precautionary measure and to ensure everyone's safety, all soldiers re-deploying from Africa will undergo an observation program to ensure they pose no health risk upon return.”

For more information about the Army’s response to the ebola threat go to:

http://www.army.mil/article/136170/U_S__Army_news__information_about_Army_s_response_to_Ebola_threat/?from=RSS

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Exchange Service salutes Vietnam vets with custom truck design
Army and Air Force Exchange Service redesigned logo 2011

To thank Vietnam veterans for their sacrifices, the Army and Air Force Exchange Service is debuting a new truck design, part of the Department of Defense retailer’s efforts alongside the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration to honor veterans during the 50th anniversary of the war.

“The Exchange is privileged to have the opportunity to recognize Vietnam veterans through our fleet,” said Exchange Director/CEO Tom Shull, who served in the Army during the Vietnam era. “These trucks will serve as rolling billboards, expressing gratitude for all who served during this era.”

The truck design features the silhouette of a lone service member set against the background of a faded horizon with a call to “thank a Vietnam veteran for service to our nation.” The single military member represents the warfighters who served during this time.

Three trucks in the fleet feature the commemorative design and will deliver merchandise to Exchange stores from the organization’s distribution centers in the continental United States.

The West Coast Distribution Center at Sharpe Army Depot in California; Dan Daniel Distribution Center in Newport News, Va.; and the Waco Distribution Center in Texas will each have a truck in service on their standard delivery routes, serving the whole country.

Air Force veteran Pat Thompson served in Vietnam before coming to the Exchange as a truck driver and mechanic. In his 18 years with the Exchange, he has deployed four times to support the troops. The new design means a lot to him.

“They remember,” said Thompson, who is based at the Exchange’s Waco Distribution Center. “We want to be remembered.”

The trucks also highlight the veteran online shopping benefit, which launched in November. The lifelong online military exchange benefit authorizes all who served honorably to enjoy tax-free shopping and exclusive military pricing at ShopMyExchange.com.

The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration is a program administered by the Office of the Secretary of Defense to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. The U.S. began commemoration of the Vietnam War’s 50th anniversary in 2012 and will continue through Veterans Day 2025.

The Exchange is a 50th Anniversary Vietnam War Commemorative Partner, planning and conducting events and activities that recognize Vietnam veterans and their families for service, valor and sacrifice in conjunction with the commemoration.

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