United States Air Force Medical Entomology A Brief History

1. 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

2. 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

3. 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)

4. 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

5. History of USAF Medical Entomology War-time research focused on control of disease vectors and pests using new technology -- Captured pesticide application equipment

6. 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

7. History of USAF Medical Entomology Army Air Forces entomologists were involved in the initial development of aerial application of pesticides

8. History of USAF Medical Entomology Army Air Forces entomologists researched disease vectors and pests under operational conditions Mosquito repellent research at the Arctic lab in Alaska, ca. 1942-1943

9. 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

10. History of USAF Medical Entomology Army, Navy, and Air Force medical entomologists deployed to the Korean Peninsula to protect the troops in the field.

11. History of USAF Medical Entomology Aerial Spray remained an important mission -- Filling a converted bomber with pesticide powder

12. 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.

13. History of USAF Medical Entomology DoD Medical Entomologists 1961, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Washington, DC

14. History of USAF Medical Entomology USAF Medical Entomology Regulations AFR 161-1, “Control of Vector-Borne Diseases” was expanded into “Medical Entomology Program”

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. History of USAF Medical Entomology Air Force entomologists provided laboratory and field expertise in support of base programs - Mosquito rearing, USAFSAM Epidemiology Division

19. History of USAF Medical Entomology Reports filed by Air Force medical entonomologists over the years reflect a wide range of concerns

20. History of USAF Medical Entomology AF entomologists educated and trained medical and engineering professionals, service members, and families about the significance of arthropods

21. History of USAF Medical Entomology Air Force Medical Entomologists have supported operations around the world - Mosquito surveillance in northern Iraq, 1991

22. 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

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

24. 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

25. History of USAF Medical Entomology Air Force Medical Entomologists must have diverse skills Environmental Program Management Research at AFRL

26. History of USAF Medical Entomology Aerial Spray Flight entomologists perform research and have a broad operational mission Spray Flight entomologists working Hurricane Katrina recovery

27. History of USAF Medical Entomology Air Force Medical Entomologists support Air Force operations around the world Rodent Trapping Mosquito Surveillance

28. History of USAF Medical Entomology Air Force Medical Entomologists support deployed operations Tallil Air Base, Iraq With the US Army in Kuwait

29. History of USAF Medical Entomology Air Force Medical Entomologists support our Allies Helping with local concerns

30. History of USAF Medical Entomology Air Force Medical Entomologists direct DoD programs Armed Forces Pest Management Board Staff

31. 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!

32. History of USAF Medical Entomology Questions?