Air Force Reservists Majors Mark Breidenbaugh and Karl Haagsma (left to right), medical entomologists with the 757 Airlift squadron, 910th Airlift Wing, Youngstown, Ohio, discuss areas to be aerial sprayed over Terrebonne Parish, LA. Entomologist duties include identifying target pests, defining areas to be aerial sprayed, prescribing treatment rates and chemicals to be applied, and accompanying flight crews on spray missions to ensure proper pesticide application. The 757 AS was tasked September 13 with the aerial application of pesticides to control insects capable of transmitting disease. The 757 AS flies specially equipped Lockheed C-130s with Modular Aerial Spray Systems. The aerial spray unit treated seven parishes comprised of more than 750, 000 acres Sept 21 to October 2. U.S. Air Force photo/Capt. Brent J. Davis

Over the course of history, disease has killed more soldiers than combat. Militaries, the United States military in particular, have become expert on hygiene and disease vector control. Ensuring pure drinking water, proper placement of latrines and insect control are all part of that effort.

The United States military has a proud history of working to control insect populations to eradicate disease. The people of Cuba and Panama saw that as officers like Walter Reed fought to control the mosquito population and control the terrible outbreaks of yellow fever and malaria. With diseases under control, the people could live a longer and healthier life and economic growth was possible.

In World War II hundreds of thousands of people were dusted with DDT to control lice, the vector for the spread of typhus. Water purification was key to preventing cholera and dysentery.

Today, this same attention to control and prevention continues. The 910th Aerial Spray Maintenance Flight of the Air Force Reserve’s Aerial Spray Squadron from Youngstown, Ohio is one of the key units tasked with that mission. Because of its capabilities, it is also the go-to unit for civilian incident managers under the National Incident Management System (NIMS) when civilian resources are exhausted or unavailable.

When Hurricanes Ike and Gustav hammered the Louisiana Gulf coast, local measures to control mosquito populations were destroyed or overwhelmed. The State of Louisiana requested Federal assistance through FEMA and the call went to the 757th Airlift Squadron and the 910th Aerial Spray Maintenance Flight.

Lt. Col. John Williams, commander of the 757th Airlift Squadron, Maj. Karl Haagsma (Ph.D.), an entomologist attached to the Aerial Spray group of the 757th, and SMSgt. John Daniels, chief of the 910th Aerial Spray Maintenance Flight spoke with me today to describe their mission to Louisiana.

Lt. Col Williams provided the following facts and figures:

1. Mission took place September 21 to October 2 2008
2. 3 aircraft and over 50 personnel deployed to Barksdale AFB
3. 800,000 acres of Louisiana were sprayed
4. Each aircraft had 6 flight crew, a pilot, co-pilot, navigator, flight engineer, and two enlisted personnel in the rear to operate the equipment
5. Flights were conducted at a height of 150 feet above the terrain during the two hours before sunset
6. This unit has been tasked for aerial spraying duties since 1992

Senior Master Sgt. Daniels briefed on the system.

The 910th flies modified C-130 aircraft. The Modular Aerial Spray Systems (MASS) system used is loaded on board on roll on-roll off pallets. It consists of 4 – 500 gallon tanks, a control system and a flush tank. The spray is applied at a rate of 0.5 ounces per acre, with a max rate of 0.75 ounces per acre where necessary. The spray nozzles are deployed through holes in the paratrooper doors. For this mission, thirteen nozzles were used, six to one side and seven on the other. This resulted in a spray pattern, depending on wind and weather, of 1,000 to 2,000 yards in width.

Maj. Karl Haagsma talked about the insecticide and its use.

The insecticide used is dibrom. It is disbursed in a very fine mist and attaches itself to flying mosquitoes. The insecticide can only be applied within two hours of sunset to avoid application to other, beneficial insects and to maximize the exposure of mosquitoes that are most active at that time. Tests have shown that dibrom in this dose has little effect on larger insects such as dragonflies.

Bees are sensitive to dibrom but are generally in their hive at the time spraying is conducted. A number of warnings are also issued through local media and directly to local beekeepers to allow them time to take precautions such as covering their hives.

The MASS system can also be used to apply herbicide, to apply chemicals to disperse oil spills and is being tested for other uses. It can utilize wing-mounted nozzles as well.

The 910th was deployed for Hurricane Katrina and the other Gulf hurricanes that season and sprayed 2.8 million acres in that mission.

MISSION LINK

U.S. and Canadian forces personnel help an evacuee of Hurricane Gustav to board a Canadian forces flight at Lake Front Airport in New Orleans, Aug. 31, 2008. As part of the civil assistance plan between the United States and Canada, the Canadian forces aircraft was brought in to help transport patients to destinations safely outside the hurricane’s path.

The New York Army and Air National Guard are sending helicopters, Soldiers and Airmen to aid the Louisiana National Guard in dealing with Hurricane Gustav recovery operations.

On Aug. 31, 2008, New York governor David A. Paterson announced that two New York Air National Guard HH-60 Pavehawk rescue helicopters and 16 Airmen from the 106th Rescue Wing had already departed Gabreski Field Air National Guard Base in West Hampton Beach, Suffolk County.

The governor also directed that three CH-47 “Chinook” heavy-lift helicopters and three UH-1 “Huey” Medevac helicopters leave the Army National Guard Flight Facility in Rochester for Meridian, Miss. These aircraft deployed Sept. 1, 2008.

The New York Air National Guard’s 109th Airlift Wing, based is Scotia, will also deploy 15 Airmen in three aeromedical teams, Sept. 1, 2008. These Airmen are specially trained in stabilization patients and moving them by aircraft.

“As Hurricane Katrina reminded us three years ago, we can never be too aggressive in our response preparation for natural disasters,” said Paterson. “New York is fortunate to have some of the most advanced equipment and well-trained personnel, and it is our duty to serve our fellow states.”

“New Yorkers have lived through disaster, and we appreciate the critical importance of Americans working together to help our fellow citizens. My thanks to these brave men and women, some of whom have recently returned from tours of duty, for once again leaving their families to answer their country’s call,” the governor said.

Hurricane Gustav is expected to reach land, Sept. 1, 2008. A state of emergency has been declared in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Texas.

The Louisiana National Guard requested the helicopters through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, a national agreement which allows states to easily provide resources and personnel in disaster situations.

The New York Air National Guard Pavehawks are a version of the UH-60 helicopter especially modified for long-range search and rescue missions. They can refuel in flight and are equipped with a rescue hoist. The unit flew missions in Louisiana following Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and members of the 106th flew missions in Afghanistan last year doing long-range search and rescue.

In addition to the Pavehawks, Paterson directed three New York Army National Guard CH-47 “Chinook” helicopters and 19 soldiers to be deployed from Rochester to Louisiana to assist in post-Hurricane Gustav recovery operations.

The CH-47s are the largest helicopters operated by the Army. They are capable of carrying 30 passengers or 33,000 pounds of cargo internally. Each CH-47 requires a crew of three.

The other Soldiers will provide maintenance and ground support. The soldiers and helicopters left the Army National Guard’s flight facility at approximately 7 a.m., Sept. 1, 2008, and are flying to a National Guard flight facility in Meridan. After the hurricane comes ashore the three New York CH-47s will conduct missions under the direction of the Louisiana National Guard.

The Governor also directed the New York Army National Guard to send three UH-1 “Huey” Medevac helicopters and 16 soldiers to Louisiana , Sept. 1, 2008. These helicopters also responded to Hurricane Katrina, and are equipped with rescue hoists, and can hold stretchers and carry patients. They to deployed from Rochester at 7:30 a.m., Sept. 1, 2008.

Some of the New York Army National Guard aviators deploying in support of hurricane recovery operations recently returned from a 10-month deployment in Afghanistan. While overseas they flew CH-47 missions in support of coalition and U.S. Forces combat operations.

DVIDS
Story by Eric Durr

Hurricane Hunters spent the third anniversary of Hurricane Katrina flying into yet another tempest, Hurricane Gustav, which made landfall just west of Grand Island, La., Sept 1. Officials from the 403rd Wing at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., deployed the aircraft to forward operating locations ahead of Hurricane Gustav. Hurricane Hunters also are flying missions into Tropical Storm Hannah, just east of the Bahamas. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. James Pritchett)

Here’s a collection of pics from the military showing their efforts during Hurricane Gustav.

LINK

Bookmark it because it will be added to over the next several days.