JOHNSTOWN, Iowa (AP) – An Iowa Army National Guard medical unit won’t be joining the fight against Ebola in West Africa. A National Guard news release says the 294th Area Support Medical Company’s estimated six-month deployment was canceled “due to completion of Ebola Treatment Unity construction and other major training in West Africa.” Because that work has been completed, more than 800 U.S. military personnel have been sent home, with more to follow.
Originally, 80 Iowans were scheduled for the West Africa mission, but that number was reduced to 40. The National Guard says the Iowa solders would have provided care only for Defense Department personnel and others sent to help, but they wouldn’t have been treating West Africans.