910th launches mission against mosquitos in Harvey's wake

A specially modified Air Force Reserve C-130 Hercules aircraft, assigned to the 910th Airlift Wing based at Youngstown Air Reserve Station, Ohio, takes off from here, Sept. 9, 2017, to conduct mosquito control aerial spray operations over areas of eastern Texas devastated by Hurricane Harvey. Due to large amounts of standing, polluted water, the number of pest insects that can transmit diseases is increasing significantly. This situation poses a potential health risk to residents of eastern Texas and is impacting first responders and recovery workers as clean-up and repair efforts continue. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) have requested the support of the 910th to treat potentially millions of affected acres. Nearly 80 Reserve Citizen Airmen are working out of the Kelly Field Annex here to support the mission including members of the 910th’s Aerial Spray Flight, Aerial Spray Maintenance Flight, Operations Support Squadron, Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Force Support Squadron, Logistics Readiness Squadron and the Wing Public Affairs Office. The 502nd Operations Support Squadron, based at the Kelly Field Annex, is also providing invaluable support to the aerial spray mission. The 910th Airlift Wing operates the Department of Defense’s only aerial spray capability to control pest insect populations, eliminate undesired and invasive vegetation and disperse oil spills in large bodies of water. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Bob Barko Jr.)