As DoD's only aerial sprayers, 910th shares know-how at course Published Jan. 15, 2013 By Master Sgt. Bob Barko Jr. 910th Airlift Wing Public Affairs LEHIGH ACRES, Fla -- Citizen Airmen from the Air Force Reserve's 910th Airlift Wing highly-specialized Aerial Spray unit are involved in the Department of Defense's (DoD's) Aerial Spray Course, Jan. 14-17, 2013. The course is being held at the new state-of-the-art Lee County Mosquito Control District Training Center in Lehigh Acres, Fla., just outside of Ft. Myers. The purpose of the course is to acquaint participants with the theory and practice of the aerial application of pesticides, especially as it relates to the U.S. military. Upon graduating, participants receive a certificate of training documenting successful completion of the course. A letter is also sent to the graduate's certifying official recommending certification in DoD Category 11 Aerial Application Pest Control. Then, graduates of the course, that are also certified by their respective commands, are able to be ground supervisors of aerial spray operations, monitor pest control contracts using aerial spray and, if they are Command Pest Management Professionals, also approve DoD aerial spray projects. Among many other subjects, the course topics include aerial spray theory, mapping and math, C-130 operations, public affairs, aerial spray contracting and more. Participants in the course also viewed static displays of aerial spray aircraft as well as equipment and were involved in a field exercise. Events in recent years have now made the 910th's 757th Airlift Squadron home to DoD's only aerial spray mission. So, this team, based at Youngstown Air Reserve Station, Ohio, is uniquely qualified to present the course material to those attending. "The 910th's role is to train DoD personnel and also give them an overview of civilian aerial spray aspects. We have a great relationship with the Florida Mosquito Control Association and it's an excellent opportunity to cross-train with them," said Lt. Col. Karl Haagsma, one of the 910th's two full-time entomologists, affectionately known as 'bug docs.' Haagsma and Lt. Col. Mark Briedenbaugh, the unit's other full-time entomologist are co-facilitators of the course. Haagsma, Breidenbaugh and the unit's three Traditional Reservist 'bug docs' bring a wealth of knowledge for the benefit of those attending the event. In addition to the entomologists, the 910th aerial spray team also includes spray-qualified pilots, aircraft loadmasters, who double as Modular Aerial Spray System (MASS) operators, during the aerial spray missions and specialized maintenance personnel, who take care of the modified C-130 'spray' aircraft and the MASS equipment that carry the product or 'ammunition' in the air war on the targeted pests. "Since the Army and Navy stopped doing small-area aerial spraying with helicopters and small planes, we are now DoD's only aerial spray unit. Just recently they even turned in their equipment so we're it," said Lt. Col. Don Teig, one of the unit's Traditional Reservist 'bug docs,' the Air Force's pest control subject matter expert and chairman of the Armed Forces Pest Management Board, based at Walter Reed Medical Center, Md. For many years, the 910th was known as the DoD's only 'large-area, fixed-wing' aerial spray unit, meaning they would use their C-130 aircraft to spray areas larger than 5,000 square acres from altitudes above the ground of 100 to 150 feet, depending on the type of spraying being done. Teig indicated that private enterprise takes care of smaller areas that would not be practical or cost-effective for the unit's large planes to handle. "Any small areas that used to be covered by the other branches of service are now done by contractors," said Teig. While this information may seem involved and other parts of the curriculum may seem complicated to 'Joe or Jane Public,' the course's whole purpose is to educate and certify the participants in aerial spraying and how it can be used at their installations across the country and in some cases around the world to protect U.S. troops and the public from disease-carrying pests. In addition to the course fulfilling DoD certification requirements, Lt. Col. Mark Breidenbaugh said it is vital for participants to get the latest information about aerial spraying as often as possible. "Ultimately, this course is about the judicious use of aerial spray products in eliminating pests and protecting troops. We are very careful when it comes to pesticides, we don't want to use too much or too little, just enough to accomplish the mission while protecting the environment as much as possible," said Breidenbaugh. Although the idea and practice of protecting troops on the ground by destroying disease-carrying insects from the air has been around since 1946, the technology and aircraft involved has changed over time. The opportunity to see these 'weapons' in the aerial spray 'arsenal' up close and personal as well as the requirement for certification or recertification brought approximately 30 pest control professionals to the event. In addition to Florida and Ohio, these specialists came from California, Kansas, Maryland, North Dakota, Texas and more from across the United States. They represented the Army, Air Force, Navy as well as the DoD's civilian branch, contractors and vendors. Sr. Airman Thomas Davis, a pest management specialist at Barksdale Air Force Base, La. said the knowledge and capabilities that the 910th team bring to the field of pest management would be helpful to him in the future. "Prior to attending this course, I did not know aerial spray was at our disposal. If we can use this capability in the future, it will be much more efficient than fogging with trucks and it may help give the public (and our troops) a positive view of what we're doing (to protect them from disease-carrying pests)," said Davis. While the 910th team may be the unique experts in the DoD when it comes to aerial spraying, Teig indicated that sometimes the teachers may pick up something from the course's students. "This is the best place for us to train too. These are the best of the best (in the field of pest management) in the U.S. We all learn from each other's talents," said Teig. Lt. Col. Tom Janousek, the 910th's third Traditional Reservist entomologist and a pest consultant based in Omaha, Neb. in his civilian work, agreed, noting that the course is a good place for sharing ideas and experience. "The course is a good way to meet the people that we work with across the country. It's also a great environment to exchange ideas," said Janousek. In addition to being the facilitators of this course, the 910th's unique mission has taken the aerial spray team all over the country to not only eliminate mosquitoes, sand fleas, filth flies and other pest insects on DoD installations but to also eliminate unwanted vegetation on bombing ranges as well as assist during the response to the worst oil spill in U.S. history. The only thing the team has not been called upon to do is part of its mission that dates back to the early days of the military's aerial spray concept, protect U.S. troops from disease carrying insects in combat zones. However, Capt. Kirk Mundal, one of the unit's newest Traditional Reserve 'bug docs,' a U.S. Navy veteran, living in Valley City, N.D., is ready for that assignment should it ever happen. As a veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom, he had the opportunity to help protect troops from disease-ridden creatures on many bases across Afghanistan. "I look forward to that challenge should it ever arise. I love this mission. It's a great mission... to protect the troops and people like we do," said Mundal. So, whether it is informing other specialists about the skill set the members of their team bring to the fight against pests and more across the country, spraying products to make combat ranges safer and more effective or to battle against natural, and in some cases, man-made disasters, the 910th's aerial spray unit is ready and able to carry out their unique mission wherever and whenever the call of duty may take them.