CNN: Military planning for possible H1N1 outbreak

From Barbara Starr
CNN Pentagon Correspondent

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The U.S. military wants to establish regional teams of military personnel to assist civilian authorities in the event of a significant outbreak of the H1N1 virus this fall, according to Defense Department officials.

The proposal is awaiting final approval from Defense Secretary Robert Gates.

The officials would not be identified because the proposal from U.S. Northern Command's Gen. Victor Renuart has not been approved by the secretary.

The plan calls for military task forces to work in conjunction with the Federal Emergency Management Agency. There is no final decision on how the military effort would be manned, but one source said it would likely include personnel from all branches of the military.

It has yet to be determined how many troops would be needed and whether they would come from the active duty or the National Guard and Reserve forces.

Civilian authorities would lead any relief efforts in the event of a major outbreak, the official said. The military, as they would for a natural disaster or other significant emergency situation, could provide support and fulfill any tasks that civilian authorities could not, such as air transport or testing of large numbers of viral samples from infected patients.

As a first step, Gates is being asked to sign a so-called "execution order" that would authorize the military to begin to conduct the detailed planning to execute the proposed plan.

Orders to deploy actual forces would be reviewed later, depending on how much of a health threat the flu poses this fall, the officials said.

Bunker Report 7/29/09 "Armed forces to administer vaccines??"

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(Possible) Foreign Military Equipment Moving Through Southeastern NC - 7/29/09

Today, I discovered two flatbed semi's in a local trucking yard. Each trailer contained (3) Mercedes Benz military utility vehicles. The driver informed me that these vehicles are destined for Camp Pendleton, a sprawling USMC amphibious warfare training installation in southern California.

NOTE: CLOSE INSPECTION OF THESE VEHICLES REVEALED NO IDENTIFYING MARKINGS OF ANY KIND, FOR ANY MILITARY UNIT AND/OR NATIONALITY.

My research shows that these could POSSIBLY be the G-Wagon 290, used in limited specialty roles within the USMC. As well, could it be possible that these vehicles are used for OPSFOR (Opposing Force) training?

I encourage any and all USMC equipment experts to weigh in on this.

Now... Before the trolls jump my ass on this, please remember that I'm no expert, nor do I claim to be. I'm only reporting on what I'm seeing.