President Barack Obama on Thursday authorized the Pentagon and Department of Homeland Security to order selected Reserve units and members of the Individual Ready Reserve to active duty in connection with the Ebola outbreak in West Africa.
The troops will be called up to augment active-duty personnel already deployed as part of Operation United Assistance, Obama said in his letter to House Speaker Rep. John Boehner, R-Ohio.
"The authorities that have been invoked will ensure the Department of Defense can properly sustain the military operations required in this effort," Obama said in the letter.
The U.S. military mission in Africa is to support the civilian-led humanitarian assistance effort.
Obama's order also authorizes the Department of Homeland Security to call up available U.S. Coast Guard assets not already operating under the Navy.
-- Bryant Jordan can be reached at bryant.jordan@monster.com
