Dobbins plays key role in Ebola patient transfers Published Sept. 13, 2014 By Senior Airman Andrew Park 94th Airlift Wing Public Affairs DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Ga. -- A Phoenix Air Gulfstream 3 air ambulance transporting two American aid workers infected with the Ebola virus in Liberia landed at Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Georgia Aug. 2 and 5. Upon arrival, patients Dr. Kent Brantly and Nancy Writebol were transported to Emory University Hospital, and were treated in a special isolation unit. Dobbins became involved when the State Department requested Department of Defense assistance with the transfer. Located approximately 20 miles from Emory Hospital, Dobbins' airfield offers the highest level of safety and security needed to facilitate ground transportation for patients to medical facilities in the local area; therefore, it was chosen over commercial airports in closer proximity. "Our emergency management team trains routinely with specialists from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for this very scenario making it an obvious choice for this highly specialized mission," said Col. Brett Clark, 94th Airlift Wing commander. The 94th Airlift Wing is the host unit at Dobbins, and maintains a partnership with several Atlanta and Cobb County first responder entities. Rear Admiral John Kirby, Pentagon Press Secretary said, DoD is uniquely qualified and prepared to support this specialized mission, a factor which weighed heavily in the decision to have the contracted private charter aircraft to land at Dobbins. "The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued guidance on the safe transport and care of patients with infectious diseases," said Kirby. "The patients will be escorted by specially and frequently trained teams that have sufficient resources to transport the patients so that there is no break in their medical care or exposure to others." Safety was a concern not only for the patients being transported, but also those involved in their transport. "From the moment we were asked to assist, the safety and security of our members and the patient being transported, was our highest priority," said Clark. "We are pleased to report this transfer was accomplished without incident." Both patients have since been released from Emory. Dobbins ARB remains ready to support national emergencies such as this, operating and mobilizing key resources at a moments' notice.
