United States Air Force Medical Entomology A Brief History

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United States Air ForceMedical EntomologyA
Brief History
Col James A. Swaby Consultant to the Surgeon
General for Entomology Associate BSC Corps Chief
for Medical Entomology
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History of USAF Medical Entomology

• In 1947, the US Air Force was established as a
  separate military service.

The first Air Force entomologists were Army
entomologists assigned duty with the USAF
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History of USAF Medical Entomology

• The first Air Force Medical Entomologist

John M. Geary Assigned to US Army Air Forces
prior to establishment of USAF in 1947 (photo
taken in 1964 when he was Executive Secretary of
the AFPMB)
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History of USAF Medical Entomology

• Several of the first entomologists in the Air
  Force
• had served in World War II

Capt. Claude T. Adams (back row, third from
left) as a POW in Stalag Luft 1, Germany, 1944
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History of USAF Medical Entomology

• War-time research focused on control of disease
  vectors and pests using new technology

-- Captured pesticide application equipment
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History of USAF Medical Entomology

• Aerial application required large-scale research
  to define the new technology

-- Mobile lab for microscopic examination of
spray droplet slides
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History of USAF Medical Entomology

• Army Air Forces entomologists were involved in
  the initial development of aerial application of
  pesticides

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History of USAF Medical Entomology
Mosquito repellent research at the Arctic lab in
Alaska, ca. 1942-1943

• Army Air Forces entomologists researched disease
  vectors and pests under operational conditions

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History of USAF Medical Entomology

• The Korean Conflict was a catalyst for further
  growth of the Air Force Medical Entomology career
  field

Dispersal of pesticides by a converted WWII Bomber
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History of USAF Medical Entomology

• Army, Navy, and Air Force medical entomologists
  deployed to the Korean Peninsula to protect the
  troops in the field.

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History of USAF Medical Entomology

• Aerial Spray remained an important mission

-- Filling a converted bomber with pesticide
powder
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History of USAF Medical Entomology

• Early Air Force Medical Entomologists were
  integral to USAF Epidemiology Flights in areas
  where vector-borne diseases were the big threat
  to troop and family health.

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History of USAF Medical Entomology

• DoD Medical Entomologists

1961, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research,
Washington, DC
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History of USAF Medical Entomology

• USAF Medical Entomology Regulations

AFR 161-1, Control of Vector-Borne Diseases was
expanded into Medical Entomology Program
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History of USAF Medical Entomology

• In the Vietnam Conflict, jungle defoliation in
  support of ground combat operations became a
  priority

Maj. Frank Dowell (left) in the Spray Flight
hanger in Vietnam
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History of USAF Medical Entomology

• The C-123 Provider was the aerial spray workhorse
• in Vietnam and for many years afterward

C-123 54-550 rigged for aerial spray
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History of USAF Medical Entomology

• Air Force entomologists provided their
  environmental expertise to development of the DoD
  Pest Management Program

-- Surveying for mosquito larvae after an
experimental aerial treatment
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History of USAF Medical Entomology

• Air Force entomologists provided laboratory and
  field expertise in support of base programs

- Mosquito rearing, USAFSAM Epidemiology Division
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History of USAF Medical Entomology

• Reports filed by Air Force medical
  entonomologists over the years reflect a wide
  range of concerns

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History of USAF Medical Entomology

• AF entomologists educated and trained medical and
  engineering professionals, service members, and
  families about the significance of arthropods

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History of USAF Medical Entomology

• Air Force Medical Entomologists have supported
• operations around the world

- Mosquito surveillance in northern Iraq, 1991
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History of USAF Medical Entomology
Air Force entomologists maintained broad
professional expertise to support the USAF mission

• Military and civilian USAF entomologists at the
  1989 Tri-Service Workshop, NAS Jacksonville

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History of USAF Medical Entomology

• USAF Medical Entomology Seal

- Approved 1997, 50th Anniversary of the USAF
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History of USAF Medical Entomology

• Air Force entomologists protect troops, weapons
  systems, and installations from arthropod-borne
  diseases and arthropod damage

It all starts with training --
USAFSAM
USAF Academy
Operational Entomology at the USAF School of
Aerospace Medicine
Biology at the USAF Academy
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History of USAF Medical Entomology

• Air Force Medical Entomologists must have
• diverse skills

Environmental Program Management
Research at AFRL
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History of USAF Medical Entomology

• Aerial Spray Flight entomologists perform
  research and have a broad operational mission

Spray Flight entomologists working Hurricane
Katrina recovery
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History of USAF Medical Entomology

• Air Force Medical Entomologists support
• Air Force operations around the world

Rodent Trapping
Mosquito Surveillance
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History of USAF Medical Entomology

• Air Force Medical Entomologists support deployed
  operations

Tallil Air Base, Iraq
With the US Army in Kuwait
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History of USAF Medical Entomology
Air Force Medical Entomologists support our Allies

• Helping with local concerns

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History of USAF Medical Entomology

• Air Force Medical Entomologists direct DoD
  programs

Armed Forces Pest Management Board Staff
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History of USAF Medical Entomology

• Air Force Medical Entomologists are key members
  of the
• Air Force Medical Service
• And the Department of Defense --
• doing our part to
• support the troops!

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History of USAF Medical Entomology

• Questions?