united states air force medical entomology a brief history

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U.S. Air Force

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Developed for the Consultant to the Air Force Surgeon General for Entomology & Associate BSC Corps Chief for Medical Entomology

United States Air ForceMedical Entomology

A Brief History

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

History of USAF Medical Entomology

-- Captured pesticide application equipment

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

History of USAF Medical Entomology

-- Mobile lab for microscopic examination of spray droplet slides

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

History of USAF Medical Entomology

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

History of USAF Medical Entomology

Mosquito repellent research at the Arctic lab in Alaska, ca. 1942-1943

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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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Aerial Spray remained an important mission

History of USAF Medical Entomology

-- Filling a converted bomber with pesticide powder

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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.

History of USAF Medical Entomology

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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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The C-123 Provider was the aerial spray workhorse

in Vietnam and for many years afterward

History of USAF Medical Entomology

C-123 #54-550 rigged for aerial spray

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

History of USAF Medical Entomology

-- Surveying for mosquito larvae after an experimental aerial treatment

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

History of USAF Medical Entomology

- Mosquito rearing, USAFSAM Epidemiology Division

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

History of USAF Medical Entomology

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AF entomologists educated and trained medical and engineering professionals, service members, and families

about the significance of arthropods

History of USAF Medical Entomology

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History of USAF Medical Entomology

Air Force Medical Entomologists have supportedoperations 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

USAFSAM USAF AcademyIt all starts with training --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 havediverse skills

Research at AFRL Environmental Program

Management

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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 supportAir Force operations around the world

Rodent Trapping Mosquito Surveillance

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Air Force Medical Entomologists support deployed operations

With the US Army in Kuwait Tallil Air Base, Iraq

History of USAF Medical Entomology

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Helping with local concerns

History of USAF Medical Entomology

Air Force Medical Entomologists support our Allies

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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 ServiceAnd the Department of Defense --

doing our part tosupport the troops!

Air Force Medical Entomologists are key members of the

Air Force Medical ServiceAnd the Department of Defense --

doing our part tosupport the troops!

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History of USAF Medical Entomology

Questions?Questions?