Details of the mission: http://m.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/09/16/fact-sheet-us-response-ebola-epidemic-west-africa
Sounds like CDC is begging for help, which means the situation is dire.
The following is from that article:
But the Defense source said that military leaders were “cornered” by the White House with the response mission, and that USAID and CDC are “begging” for military help when they should be the “lead.” The source said the government is turning to DOD because the NGOs that agencies typically work with on the ground have fled.
I have no doubt the situation is dire. My problem is making the military the lead agency in the effort. The military can support the plan, but CDC should be directing the overall effort. It is their mission and basic reason for their existence. Something else is at play here, but knowing how Obama operates, it has do to with optics and a political agenda.