910th conducts aerial spray course

U.S. Air Force Reserve Lt. Col. Tom Janousek, an entomologist assigned to the 910th Airlift Wing, studies a stack of sample cards, recently sprayed with water, simulating a pesticide solution, by one of the wing’s highly-modified C-130 aircraft during a field exercise that is part of the Department of Defense Aerial Spray Course at the Lee County Mosquito Control District flightline, Lehigh Acres, Fla., Jan. 16, 2013. The purpose of the exercise was to determine how wide of an area on the ground is being effectively treated by an aerial spray aircraft and how effectively the sprayed product is being delivered to the target area. The sample cards hold paper that changes color when hit by water. This reaction aids course participants on the ground to determine the results of the exercise. Completion of the aerial spray course is a certification requirement for pest management specialists involved in the aerial spraying of products designed to destroy disease-carrying creatures. The 910th, based at Youngstown Air Reserve Station, Ohio, is home to DoD’s only aerial spray mission and the team brought their unique knowledge to the course for the benefit of those participating in the event. U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Bob Barko Jr.