Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va. – Langley Air Force Base has been established as a Controlled Monitoring Area on the eastern seaboard for service members returning from Ebola-hit countries in Africa.
Langley could begin housing its first group of service members as early as next week. The service members returning from Operation United Assistance to Langley have no known exposure to the disease and did not directly interact with Ebola patients.
All service members returning from Operation United Assistance have been ordered to undergo 21-day controlled monitoring for symptoms.
Joint Base Langley-Eustis was designated as a Controlled Monitoring Area due to its on-base hospital with access to medical isolation capability, proximity to a military airfield, ability to provide services, lodging, transportation and controlled access to facilities.
By mid-December, the base projects the transit center will be able to accommodate up to 150 service members.
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Service members will stay in a facility dubbed Langley Transit Center upon their return, a site that has been significantly upgraded in anticipation of this announcement. The camp is comprised of 20 buildings, including dormitories, bathroom and shower facilities, a fitness center with top-tier fitness equipment, a dining facility, and an entertainment and recreation center with internet and cable television. Each facility is equipped with new heating, ventilation and air conditioning units, and upgraded plumbing.
Langley Airmen equipped the dormitories and common areas with furniture, appliances and linens to keep transit center residents comfortable.
“The well-being of our returning personnel and communities is a top priority,” said Col. John J. Allen Jr., 633rd Air Base Wing commander. “Controlled monitoring is a precaution that not only ensures public safety but helps instill confidence in our communities.”
“As the installation commander, I am extremely proud of the men and women who have designed and built this site on such short notice,” said Allen. “We take seriously our responsibility to prevent the transmission of Ebola as our Service members redeploy, and the fact the JBLE was selected as a controlled monitoring site for members of all services speaks volumes about our Airmen and Soldiers on the installation.”
