releases: https://web.archive.org/web/20141024001215/http://www.vitter.senate.gov/newsroom/press/vitter-asks-air-force-for-protocol-on-disinfecting-planes-from-africa
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
This data as json
| url | title | date | year | month | party | chamber | state | member_name | bioguide_id | domain | scraper | source | date_source | text | has_text | collected_at | updated_at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| https://web.archive.org/web/20141024001215/http://www.vitter.senate.gov/newsroom/press/vitter-asks-air-force-for-protocol-on-disinfecting-planes-from-africa | Vitter Asks Air Force for Protocol on Disinfecting Planes From Africa | 2014-10-17 | 2014 | 2014-10 | Republican | House | LA | David Vitter | V000127 | web.archive.org | legacy | Vitter Asks Air Force for Protocol on Disinfecting Planes From Africa Friday, October 17, 2014 (Metairie, La.) – U.S. Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) today sent a letter to the U.S. Air Force asking questions about their protocol for disinfecting air craft that have been in parts of Africa contaminated with the Ebola virus. Vitter was recently contacted by a constituent in the United States Air Force (USAF) who was given an order to clean and disinfect aircraft that are returning from Africa. However, their squadron has zero training with Ebola or relevant procedures in place to handle this type of event. “The Administration’s response to the Ebola threat has been nothing short of pathetic. People are downright scared that this virus could enter the U.S. more widespread than it already has. We need to have an administration wide – full strategic plan on how to make sure it doesn’t spread. That includes all our Military branches,” wrote Vitter. Below is the text of Vitter’s letter. October 17, 2014 General Mark Welsh Chief of Staff 1670 Air Force Pentagon Washington, DC 20330 The Honorable Deborah Lee James Secretary of the Air Force 1670 Air Force Pentagon Washington, DC 20330 Dear Secretary James and General Welsh: The Administration’s response to the Ebola threat has been nothing short of pathetic. People are downright scared that this virus could enter the U.S. more widespread than it already has. We need to have an administration wide and full strategic plan on how to make sure it doesn’t spread. That includes all our Military branches. Last week my office received a DOD briefing on the military role in the Ebola response, and I was assured that all necessary precautions were being taken to ensure our service members were being adequately protected. Unfortunately, I have been presented with evidence that there are flaws within the ongoing operations. I have recently been contacted by a constituent in the United States Air Force (USAF) who was given an order to clean and disinfect aircraft that are returning from Africa. However, their squadron has zero training with Ebola or relevant procedures in place to handle this type of event. The Air Force needs to be far more cautious than this. This type of carelessness is unacceptable. Surely the Air Force has squadrons who are trained and equipped to probably disinfect air craft that may have been in contact with the virus. If not, that should be an immediate priority. Please respond immediately to the following five questions: 1. Does the USAF have squadrons that have had the necessary training to deal with contaminated aircraft? 2. Are untrained airmen being ordered to complete a life-threatening task without proper training and necessary protection? 3. What is the Air Force doing to ensure that maintenance troops receive thorough and expert training to effectively decontaminate these planes and more importantly, protect themselves from exposure to this deadly virus? 4. What measures have been put into place so these airmen will not expose their families and other persons in in the U.S. or at any of our military bases around the world? 5. What measures have been implemented by USAF to train and protect our military members, their families, and those who support our operations at all of our bases? 6. Does the Air Force have necessary protocols and authorities for mandatory leave time to accommodate the required DOD quarantine time when service members return from the field? All of our military branches need to be incredibly cautious to ensure this public health risk does not escalate. Your assistance in this time-sensitive and urgent matter is appreciated. Sincerely, David Vitter United States Senate -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |