Operation Gritrock

Operation Gritrock was the code name given to the British, Irish and Canadian participation in the fight against the Ebola virus epidemic in West Africa. In November 2015, Sierra Leone was officially declared Ebola free.^[1] More than 50 members of British Army's 5 Armoured Medical Regiment were presented with operational medals for their duties in Sierra Leone during the crisis. Members of the Irish Army Medical Corps were awarded the International Operational Service Medal by the Irish government.

Operation Gritrock
Part of Ebola virus epidemic in West Africa
RFA Argus returning from Sierra Leone.
Location	Sierra Leone
Planned by	David Cameron (PM) Michael Fallon (Secretary of State for Defence)
Objective	Eradicate Ebola
Date	30 October 2014 – 13 November 2015 (1 year and 2 weeks)
Executed by	Royal Air Force Royal Navy British Army Irish Defence Forces Canadian Armed Forces
Outcome	Sierra Leone declared Ebola free.

Deployed forces

British Army

• HQ 104 Logistic Support Brigade, Commander – Brigadier Stephen McMahon CBE (Late Royal Logistic Corps).^[2]
• 5 Armoured Medical Regiment.^[3]
• 22 Field Hospital, Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC).^[4]
• 34 Field Hospital, RAMC.^[5]
• 30th Signal Regiment, Royal Corps of Signals.
• 170 Infrastructure Support Group.^[6]

Royal Air Force

• Boeing C-17A Globemaster III.^[7]

Royal Navy

• RFA Argus (A135).^[7]
• 820 Naval Air Squadron with 3 x AgustaWestland Merlin HM.2.^[7]

Irish Army

• Medical Corps
  • Two teams from the Central Medical Unit (CMU)^[8]