The 3,000 US troops headed to West Africa for Operation United Assistance to combat the Ebola epidemic will cost the Pentagon USD one billion, a spokesperson told reporters Friday.
"Right now, the effort does not include US military personnel treating Ebola patients," Rear Admiral John Kirby said. "We're going to be in support of other health care workers that are experts at doing this. And, obviously, a key component of moving our troops anywhere, in any situation, is to make sure that we adequately prepare them, train them and equip them for their own personal protection." He also affirmed there is no intention for the troops to "be interacting with patients or in areas where they would necessarily come into contact with patients. They're not doctors. They're not nurses. They're not trained for that and not equipped for that." US military personnel are expected to spend six months in the affected region, mostly inside Liberia.