Next generation biocontainment system unveiled at Dobbins

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Daniel Phelps
  • 94th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Ga. (AFNS) --  The next generation in biocontainment systems was unveiled in a ceremony here Aug. 11.

The 94th Airlift Wing was chosen by the State Department as the host unit for the Containerized Biocontainment Systems because of the installations proximity to world-class hospitals that can treat patients infected with highly contagious pathogens, according to Patrick Kennedy, the State Department's under secretary of state for management.

“Dobbins is a natural choice to host the CBCS,” said Dr. Will Walters, the director of operational medicine at the State Department.

A year ago, two Ebola victims arrived from Liberia and the State Department chose Dobbins ARB as the embarkation location in the U.S. The 94th AW provided logistics support and security for the patients' arrival ensuring safe transport to life-saving care.

“Along with our strategic location to the Center for Disease Control (and Prevention) and Emory Hospital, we are also able to provide the logistics and security for delivery of incoming patients,” said Col. Brent Merritt, the 94th AW commander. “Cobb County and the metro Atlanta area have a tremendous amount of resources. Our location is important and our Airmen are second to none. We will enthusiastically execute any mission we are assigned. We look forward to that future challenge.”

The CBCS is the latest evolution in biocontainment transport capability, leveraging lessons learned over the past years of experience conducting these high-risk medevac missions, Kennedy said. The CBCS is a self-contained, roll on, roll off solution that can be used on a variety of commercial and military aircraft and easily decontaminated and stored indefinitely without significant maintenance requirements.

“There is nothing like this out there right now,” said. Dr. Thomas Sack, the president of MRI Global. “We are ready for the next threat. These can safely transport patients while keeping the aircrew safe.”

The CBCS is a product of collaboration between the State Department and MRI Global from Kansas City, Missouri, with contributions from the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation.