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AANGFS-AFRFSA Newsletter Fall 2002

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Alliance of Air National Guard Flight Surgeons &

Air Force Reserve Flight Surgeons’ Association
Volume 14, Number 2 Published by the AANGFS/AFRFSA and on website: www.sharmon.com/aangfs Fall 2002
modular, rapid response capability of the Air Force Expeditionary Medical Support (EMEDS) system. We are now poised to be of great value to our nation as medical support for our war fighters in the AEF or as a medical piece of the military plan for Homeland Security, should that mission come our way. The direction we take, of course, will be the decision of our leadership. Our new Director of the ANG, LtGen Daniel James III, has resolved that the Air Guard will be Ready, Reliable and Relevant for the tasks at hand. Our Air Surgeon, Col Randy Falk, has committed his Directorate to insure the ANG Medical Service is trained in every aspect of its mission. From Golden Egg benchmark programmatics at AMSUS to EMEDS training at Alpena to leadership seminars at Health Services Management at AsMA, our medical personnel will prepare for the challenges ahead.

I have great confidence in the ANG Assistants who represent us. They have established great working relationships with the major command leadership to which they are assigned. Our greatest challenge is to promote

In this Issue ANG Asst to USAF/SG (MGen Higdon)….…..…..1AANGFS President (BGen Sobel) ……….…...…2Alliance Officers………………….………………..2“That Uniform” (BGen Harmon)……………...….34th Air Force News (Col Task)………………..…...3AFRFSA President (Col Allen)….…..……………4AFRFS Officers…………………………….…..…4Flight Surgeon Gala Announcement.………..….4 Letters (Lt Col Andrew, Hatfield & Sparky))..…..5 Letters (LtCol Hennesy, questionnaire)……...…..6Agricultural Bioterrorism Seminar………………6Partnership for Peace ……………..…….…….…7

Deep Freeze (LtCol Dodson, Lt Col Mulvey & Col O’Toole)……………………...…..8 & 9

Mike Hayek (LtCol Brassel, BGen Mitchell & Col Dolnicek)………………………….... 10

Don Flickinger (Dave Jones)…………………....11Credentials Transfer (Col Carlson)……….…….11AANGFS—AMSUS Program ………………..….11Reserve Demand Statistics………………………12Future Meetings………………………..….……..12Membership Application…………..…………InsertDues Envelope…………………………..…….Insert

From MGen Dennis Higdon ANG Assistant to the USAF Surgeon General

I want to briefly share a few thoughts ith you as we pass the first anniversary of the

errorist attacks on our nation. am so proud to be a member of the National uard. Great numbers of us were mobilized in upport of both Operation Noble Eagle and peration Enduring Freedom. You were all part f a great effort which resulted in the ouster of

he Taliban regime in Afghanistan and the start f a rebuilding process in that nation. We have een the development of a Department of omeland Security and the establishment of orthern Command, the first unified command hose AOR is the United States of America. In

he ANG Medical Service we abandoned the old old War ATH unit configuration for the

our value as medical professionals and at the same time to educate the active component to use us in a way that doesn't break us. My sincere thanks to all of you for your outstanding support of our flyers.

MGen Dennis Higdon inspecting Alpena MRTC

http://www.sharmon.com/aangfs


Most importantly, new partnerships will continue to emerge. Some of these partnerships may appear nontraditional, but may demonstrate merit in the long-run. Many of these partnerships have been forged through our Civil Support Teams, and present opportunities for our medical communities at-large. Within the scope of our community and state activities, new opportunities for strengthening and adding-value will become apparent. We must search for ways in which these opportunities can augment our core mission areas in Today’s Air Force. This is a role for our Alliance, to build partnerships, strengthen communication, and look for ways in which our individual skills can support our aggregate goals. As your President, both I and your Executive Leadership, are a sounding board for your ideas. Our focus must be how we can make the Post-9/11 era a period of rebuilding, continued relevance, and continued learning for all of us.

My Vision and Initiatives for Our Alliance BGen Annette Sobel, AANGFS President

A treasured photo of mentor and leader, USAF/SG, LtGen Carlton readministering the oath of office to BGen Annette

el, while her husband, Dr. Robert Duncan is holding the family Bible from Scotland.

Sob

In the Post-9/11 era, we have all changed, and so must the role way in which we do business in our Alliance. The core mission areas will remain unchanged: to provide a strong educational forum; to provide political advocacy; to support

and respond to issues in the common interest and for the common good of the membership. However, as your President, I recognize the need for heightened responsiveness and “out-of-the-box” thinking and solutions. For example, expeditionary medical care will continue to evolve; we need your input. Our functional capacity will assess the full skill sets of our members, no matter how unique. Political issues will continue in their cycles of relevance to military medicine, and in particular, Air Reserve Component (ARC) medicine. We must embrace these issues in our Executive Leadership Forum. As the new Department of Homeland Security and Northcom are stood-up and take their seats at the table of the Global War on Terrorism, the mission of the ARC will undoubtedly morph to support these organizations.

(Excellent articulation of our AANGFS mission and goals, WWP, editor)

Alliance Officers

President: BGen Annette Sobel, NM ANG P. O. Box 1507 Tijeras NM 87059-1507 Email: [email protected]

Vice-President: LtCol Brett Wyrick, HIANG 1155 Waialeale Place Hilo, HI 96720 Email [email protected] Treasurer: Col Kirk Martin, FLANG 8489 Stables Road Jacksonville, FL 32256 Email: [email protected] Secretary: LtCol William Pond, INANG 5730 Autumn Woods Trail

The critical nature and emphasis on individual and unit preparedness and readiness training will continue to be center-stage. Our thirst for specialty education and training will diverge from traditional areas of military medicine into specialized areas such as agro terrorism and community preparedness, a National Guard-hosted educational workshop occurring in Oklahoma City this October (see registration information on page 6 in this issue). But we must not ignore the core issues of sustained education.

Fort Wayne, IN 46835 Email: [email protected]

Newsletter Editor: LtCol William Pond, INANG 5730 Autumn Woods Trail Fort Wayne, IN 46835

Email: [email protected] Program Committee: Col Harold Robinson (AMSUS)

Col Bruce Guerdan (HSM/AsMA) Education Committee: LtCol Ralph Warren Historian: LtCol Brett Wyrick Web site: LtCol Reid Muller Nominating Committee: Richard Terry

Don’t miss these Golden Eggs at AMSUS: truly worthwhile and vital medical updates: ANG Fitness Testing, Update from the Air Force Inspection Agency, Credentials for the ANG

Provider, Program Updates from the SGP, Financial Planning for the ANG MDS, ESOHCAMP Update, Host Tenant Support Agreements,Team Aerospace Funding

mailto:[email protected]






“I Don’t Recognize That Uniform” NEWS FROM 4TH AIR FORCE SG

As I was traveling last month while TDY, I happened to be changing planes in a civilian airport. I was wearing my Air Force uniform, and as I was standing in line about to board the aircraft one of the gate agents pulled me aside. She asked for identification and I gave her my government ID card with a picture photo identifying me as an Air Force officer.

We have had a busy year at Fourth, as have all you folks. Lots of events to come, lots of activities in the news – point is no one knows where we are going tomorrow. We need to concentrate on being ready and making sure our wings and units are ready. Just a note to let you know that our SGP staff has expanded. Col Charles O’Toole has joined Chief Yarbrough in that section. They are here to help and answer your questions. Feel free to utilize them. Hot items: 1. Occupational medicine – currently we have a real

need to focus on this item. All units have shops that require occupational health surveillance. We may have active duty on base but they may not be doing our reservist or all of our shops. It is the flight surgeons job to assure that all our people are monitored and that all our shops have been checked for the need for surveillance.

That’s when I became more interested. This government employee then searched me with the metal detecting wand, and asked me why I was wearing the metal insignia (my rank and my wings) and commented that she did not recognize either the ID card or the uniform, but did apologize for the inconvenience and allowed me to board the civilian airliner.

2. RCPHA- currently we are about one year into RCPHA. Currently we have almost 8000 people who have done their RCPHA but have still not had the process completed and been certified WWD qualified. You as flight surgeons need to take a primary role in assuring that all you personnel have their RCPHA completed all the way thru the FAM going in and doing final review to certify them for WWD qualification. This critical and must be completed.

That set me thinking. How many people like this well-intentioned worker do not recognize the uniform of the Armed Forces of our own country? Is it really important that anyone knows what we look like, how we dress and who we are, or even what we do?

3. Profiles and LODs - With all the recent activations and activities, there has been a flurry of injuries and illnesses. Flight surgeons need to look at the individuals and make sure the process is flowing properly. These folks need LODs (348s) initiated as soon as possible. They should all have some time of profile with a realistic termination date as to when the process will be healed, resolved or administratively dealt with. Most importantly these folks need to be tracked, and the reserve flight surgeons need to take an active role in tracking the progress of these individuals thru their care or administratively resolve their problems. This is part of our primary jobs both as advocates for the members and advocates for the United States Air Force Reserve. As they say “it’s what they pay us the big bucks for.”

At present, the population of the United States has only about one-fifth of one percent of the national population wearing the uniform of the Air Force, including the Guard, Reserve, and Active force. Not very many folks, and it really is no wonder that the Transportation Security worker explained, “I don’t recognize that uniform” when seeing it in the airport. I have worn a military uniform for thirty years. My father wore one during the Korean conflict, and my son wears one as a member of the Air Guard. It is not as flashy as a football or other athletic outfit and it has fewer attachments than many law enforcement or emergency medical uniforms. It’s a pretty low-key outfit. Let us as Americans pay more attention to those wearing the uniform of the military. Those uniforms have been there throughout our history; a strong national defense is what allows us to enjoy the essence of American society and democracy. Without it would we have been able to survive? Those military uniforms and the power they represent provide a significant deterrent to countless terrorists and criminals, to people who are threatened by America and its ideals of democracy and fairness and individual worth.

There probably are other items we could cover, but these are the big ones that need every flight surgeon’s attention at this point. Look forward to another productive year. We at 604th SG are here to help. Hope to see you at AMSUS. Col Steven Task 4th AF 604th/SG

Gerald E. Harmon 18 September 2002


Colonel Larry M. Allen I applaud the efforts of everyone involved in the cooperative efforts of the Guard and Reserve. I truly believe that what make organizations strong and productive are cooperation, communication, and coordination. The combined briefings at AMSUS were a precursor to the combined information in the Newsletter. We are today more that ever members of the same team. I have met many Flight Surgeons who have been in both the Guard and the Reserve. I say this even as members of my Medical Squadron are involved in overseas deployments working side-by-side with Guard, Reserve, and Active personnel. Talk about diversity at work.

President Association of USAF Reserve Flight

Surgeons [email protected]

“Cooperate and Graduate”, that was told to my classmates and me over and over by the upperclassmen during my freshman year at the Academy. I did not know exactly what they meant. After all, I thought that I had gotten there by being the best and competing for the appointment. Now, I was supposed to cooperate! I wanted to excel and show them that I was the best. Not so! I quickly learned that I was surrounded by the best and brightest that our country had to offer. Not that it was any different at your school. So, exactly what did this “cooperate and graduate” phrase mean?

It is my personal hope and desire that we continue to work together for the betterment of both organizations. Please feel free to contact me at any time regarding this or any other issues.

I later used it when I was one of those “been there, done that” upperclassmen. It has taken me many years to know exactly what those few words really meant. Well after many leadership seminars and listening to many tremendous briefings from our distinguished leaders and scholars, maybe I am beginning to understand what those wise-before-their-time upperclassmen were trying to teach me. If we cooperate, we will succeed. If we don’t, we won’t or it will be much harder. I truly believe that what makes America strong and successful is cooperation and not competition. After all, who ever heard of an army winning a war that was fighting or competing among itself? On the contrary, I do not know of any army in history that has won the war when there was serious strife in the ranks.

Pres

Pres Treas

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AFRFS Association Officers And Board

ident: Col Larry Allen, 917 MDS

Barksdale AFB 450 Sherwood Shreveport, LA 71106 Email: [email protected]

ident-Elect: Col Tom Selvaggio, 301 stAMDS, Ft Worth NAS and JRB 1705 Live Oak Commerce, TX 75428 Email: [email protected]

urer: Col Lance Chu, 74 Mg/CC (MA) 2201 W 25th, Suite #4 San Pedro, CA 90732 Email: [email protected]

etary: Col Pat Nell, HQ AFRC/SGP 155 Second St Warner Robbins AFB, GA 31098-1635 Email: [email protected]

letter Editor: Col Charles O’Toole 752 MDS, March ARB, Ca 1102 Holiday Court Granbury, TX 76048 Email: [email protected]

ram Committee: Col Tom Selvaggi al Committee: Col Mike Torres bership: Col Chuck O’Toole ds: Col Johnny Alexander titution and Bylaws: Col Steven Task

The Annual Association of Reserve Flight Surgeons’ Gala Event at AMSUS in us for an evening above it all in the SPIRE (the revolving rooftop banquet facility on Top of the Hyatt).

12 November 2002---1830 until 2130 Great food - $20 per person….. Fellowship - priceless

Make reservations by sending your check (made to AAFRFS) to Colonel Larry Allen 450 Sherwood Road, Shreveport, LA 71106, or

E-mail your intent to come to [email protected] and pay your money at the door





Dear Editor: Dear Dr. Pond, The PME issue certainly affects me as one who has 27 years of reserve affiliation, 5 years of service left until retirement eligibility, and who will become either MDS CO or State Air Surgeon within 18 months. If Air War College is going to be mandatory for promotion to O-6, there needs to be something creative done for those of us who practice and take call full time as well as sacrifice our vacation time and weekends off to take care of our Guard responsibilities. There should be options for us to do our classes at least part time in residence as an alternative to doing it as a 100% correspondence course. This TDY needs to be instead of, not in addition to, our two weeks AT with the MDS. I would rather sacrifice a year or two of vacation time than subject my family to a take home course. There also needs to be an option for us to extend the time line for completing the course. Our admin officer tells me that AWC is 18 months. Why can’t we have the option of 24 or 30 months if needed? I actually looked into AWC a couple years ago since I am interested in the subject matter. After hearing my Admin Officer’s experience with it, I changed my mind. I decided I couldn’t ask my family to endure yet another of my voluntary commitments. Having said all this, the youngest of our 6 children has just left for college. I will be at least talking to our Wing training NCOIC next weekend to get the details as they currently exist, but I am not optimistic about these home study courses at all. I am concerned about how this policy change will affect retention and recruiting within our ranks as it’s already a hard enough sell. Until a year ago, I had been the only Flight Doc in our Wing for ~18 months. I will be attending AMSUS for the first time this year so I’m sure I’ll be hearing and speaking more about this. LTC Dave Andrew

I would be very happy to see Bruce Stocks recognized for his very good work as a Weasel and as an all around good Fighter Pilot. You should get in touch with Frank Moyers, AKA Talking Bear, who was Bruce's EWO in '67 and who was in the pit when Bruce was wounded. You can contact him through the Weasel net or at [email protected]. He would be the very best. My PooPoo is: Lt. Col (Ret) Bill Sparks- F-105 pilot from '61 through '69. I have 2250 total hours in the Thud that includes 145 combat sorties over North Vietnam in '65 and '67. 69 were as a Strike pilot and 76 were as a Weasel. 100+ were in RP-6 and I was lead Weasel 47 times in RP-6. My Bear was Carlo Lombardo, AKA Grouchy Bear, and we were credited with 5 photo confirmed SAM site kills (Secondary fires and explosions inside the outer missile ring). I was shot down on my 145th and last sortie, as a strike pilot leading a 4 ship flight to Phuc Yen airfield. I was rescued from some VERY tall Bamboo about 13 miles downstream from Yen Bai and less than 1 mile southwest of the Red River. The CH-3E pulled off what was then the furthest north rescue of the war. Harry Walker, AC, was awesome on that day. I served in USAFE, TAC, and PACAF and was lucky enough to command the 35TFS at Kunsan in '74. I retired after my 4th tour at Nellis in '77 with a hair under 4,000 hours flying time with 750 in the F-100, 2250 in the thud, 450 in Canadian F-104's, 300 in the F-4D/E, the rest in pilot training and dogs and cats. I would be interested in seeing the article when it is finished. Sparky (Sparky—we are truly fortunate and proud to be associated with warriors such as yourself. Thanks for reminding us of our heritage and why we exist, WWP, editor.)

Dear Dr. Pond, Chief, Flight Medicine “I am now a retiree of the Air National Guard. Being a member of the Alliance of ANG Flight Surgeons has been a pleasant & rewarding experience.” Sincerely,

101st MDS ANG, Bangor, Maine

Lt Col Charles N. Hatfied, 134MDS

Alliance of ANG Flight Surgeons Newsletter

The newsletter is published two or three times annually by the Alliance of Air National Guard Flight Surgeons. Articles for inclusion are solicited from members and guest authors. Material for publication can be sent to:

LtCol William W. Pond 5730 Autumn Woods Trail

Fort Wayne, IN 46835 Email: [email protected]

Viewpoints expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent official positions of the Alliance, the Air National Guard, the United States Air Force, or the Department of Defense. Letters may be edited for grammar, spelling or length, but not content.

William W. Pond (WWP)Editor and Publisher
Q: Who is this human Superfly?
(Answer on page 11)




In the AANGFS Membership Questionnaire, the following were asked:

6. I wish I could send you a picture, but I must be too old to know how to use the camera and attach it to an e-mail. I'll ask my 17 year old for some help. 1. Should the fitness standards be changed and what will

be the impact? 7. See you all at AMSUS! Jim James V. Hennessey COL RIANG SFS State Air Surgeon, HQ RIANG

2. What is the impact of requiring PME for promotion to commander positions?

3. Since gynecologic exams have been eliminated from enlistment exams unless indicated, should the same standard be applied to examination of heart, hernias, testicles, ears, etc?

4. Should medical standards for continued service be relaxed?

5. What advice would experienced flight surgeons give to their junior colleagues? Subject: Registration Site

Agricultural Bioterrorism Seminar Elicited the following:

On behalf of Brig Gen Annie Sobel, I would like to advise you that the registration site is now established for the Agricultural Bioterrorism Seminar, to be held 29-30 October, and can be accessed at: https://webregister.afms.mil/abc. Billeting will be at the Waterford by Marriott, 6300 Waterford Blvd, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73118. You can reach them at 800-992-2009; reference the Bioterrorism Conference to obtain the block of rooms reserved at $65 or suites at $99 per day. There is also an ice-breaker planned on Monday evening, 28 Oct. If you have problems with access, especially if from a non-military connection, please call me at DSN 297-5506 or (202) 767-5506 and I can process the registration for you. We look forward to seeing you at the conference. And, please forward this message to individuals you think would like to attend.

1. Fitness standards, “should be more stringent.” 2. PME required, “strongly against.” 3. Physical exam standards relaxed? “No” 4. PME required, “bad idea.” (And even a very sage and thoughtful letter. WWP) Dear Editor, 1. With even more lenient fitness standards, there will be older and sicker individuals on deployments. This will compromise the ability of the troops to get their jobs done and will have a negative impact on both the operational mission as well as potentially compromising the medical mission. 2. More and more non-physician commanders. This may significantly diminish clinical know-how in MDS management and in many cases may actively discourage physician participation in the military aspects of military medicine. Overall I am an old-timer who believes that physicians should be medical commanders.

David Smith ANG Medical Forces Advisor Office of the Surgeon General

3. NO, bring back a gyn exam to assure the health of all incoming members of the ANG. This should be accomplished at MEPS or a MEPS contractor or PMD.

Notes on this combined issue: The Alliance of Air National Guard Flight Surgeons and Air Force Reserve Flight Surgeons Association have traditionally published separate newsletters. Flight surgeons of reserve Air Force components share many common issues, such as training, regulations, deployments, HSM/AsMA, aerospace physiology etc. The last joint issue was met with many favorable responses; please let the Board know if you like the format. Thanks, Chuck O’Toole, AFRFSA editor Bill Pond, AANGFS editor.

4. No not in the big picture, if the draft were back on line enlistments would make the 35-38 year service careers frequently seen in the Guard unnecessary for maintaining manning in technical specialties to maintain operational readiness. Chem. gear is a young person’s game. 50+ year-old smokers (know any in your units?) are at high risk of not being able to accomplish the mission under these austere conditions. 5. Join the Guard, go to flight school, lead by example in your unit, go on as many squadron deployments (with the SME , etc.) as possible, do some PME, Be THE MDS commander, retire after a stint as SAS.


Have you ever heard of the State Partnership for Peace program and wondered how you or your unit could get involved in it? Unfortunately, if you have heard about it, you will soon find out that it doesn’t exist except in the minds of those sharing unintentional misinformation. The “State Partnership for Peace” program is, from all accounts, a hybrid of the National Guard State Partnership Program (SPP) and the NATO Partnership for Peace (PfP) program. What my goal in writing this short article is to try to give a very short explanation of the National Guard State Partnership Program and how we, as medics, can get involved in the program. First, a little historical background on the program. The National Guard State Partnership Program links US states with partner countries for the purpose of improving bilateral relations between them. This program was born out of the European Command’s Joint Contact Team Program as a military-to-military program in 1993 as a response to the State Department’s desire for a non-threatening position within the Baltic region. The USCINCEUR decided that using the Reserve Component, specifically the National Guard, was less provocative and would give the program a better chance of success. The objectives of the program are very lofty indeed. SPP aims to build democratic institutions in emerging democratic countries, promote regional stability which will invariably help to foster free market economies. SPP also strives to project positive values within a government and society, promote interoperability both internationally and between the civilian and military sectors of government by replacing prejudice with informed opinion. And lastly, the SPP does all of this with an eye toward fitting this into the specific Combatant Commander’s Theater Security Cooperation Plan. The medical portion, while it should be a natural fit for a program like SPP, has been largely overlooked as a lead component for exercises or for military-to-military contacts. Because of that, this is an area where we can get our proverbial “nose under the tent” and reach out to our partner countries. One thing that we, within the medical community, do as a matter of course is continuing education. How many BLS, ACLS or Infection Control classes have we managed to sit through because it’s an annual requirement? The line, for the most part, doesn’t do that kind of ongoing training. We medics have courses that are aimed at doctors, nurses, and public health officers, as well as medical, administrative and radiology (to name a few) technicians to keep our people “up-to-speed” on the most current information in the health care field. This is exactly the kind of information exchange that could easily made into a military-to-military event between your state and your partner country. Most of our events are small in numbers and short in duration, generally three to five people sharing information to groups of individuals over a three to five day period. They can cover virtually any subject, from Command and Control to Self-aid and Buddy-Care. As the partnership matures, these events can, and generally do, grow into full-scale exercises, such as MEDFLAG type of events. We can even bring international partners to conferences or make them a part of our annual training. The possibilities of how we engage from a medical standpoint are virtually limitless. The one hurdle that must be cleared is that in order for an event to take place, the country must request an event. In order for them to request an event, they need to know what is available, a

shopping list of sorts. Just as a successful retailer makes sure that the customer knows what is on sale, you need to make sure that the “sales flyer” is put out to the country. To do that, the unit needs to make sure the State Air Surgeon is aware of what can be done, get him or her your shopping list! The State Air Surgeon then needs to get that message to the State Partnership Program Coordinator in the Adjutant General’s office who will work with the in-country (i.e. Bilateral Affairs Officer) folks who will coordinate with their counterparts at the host nation level. This program continues to grow. As some of the states, who are partnered with European nations, begin to become less active in countries that have matured to the point and are on the verge of full NATO membership, they are beginning to “shop around” for a new partner. These states know that the program works and want to re-engage with a new partner. But, what if your state doesn’t have a formal partnership? Not to worry, you can still be part of the program by engaging in an event “In the Spirit of” State Partnership Program guidelines. An Aerospace Medicine Traveling Contact Team (TCT) event or a Critical Care Air Transport (CCAT) TCT event going from base to base or city to city within a host nation could be easily generated. Or, you could tie a Mass Casualty Exercise Planning familiarization (FAM) briefing to an ongoing exercise within a country and then conduct a mass casualty exercise as part of the overall event. Or you may want to show some of the new EMEDS concepts to an area and demonstrate how we can seamlessly interface with our own sister services or our other international partners through the implementation of MFST teams at a forward location and deliver state-of-the-art Aeromedical Evacuation to an entire theater. You could also decide to enter into an area with a high incidence of communicable diseases, such as HIV, and conduct a public health awareness seminar. The opportunities to engage at an international level are really only limited to your imagination and, of course, funding. And speaking of funding, you can find out about possible sources of funding along with more information about the National Guard State Partnership Program at our website. The address is: http://www.ngb.dtic.mil/staff/ia/ I would like to encourage anyone interested in getting involved in this type of international engagement to contact me, MSgt Wayne Smith at: [email protected] for more information on the State Partnership Program or pre-packaged concept sheets for medical engagements. I am the liaison to NGB-IA, the office of primary responsibility for the State Partnership Program, and am responsible for global medical engagements for that office. (Wayne, thanks for a thorough explanation of an important

program of which we are all now more informed—WWP, editor)

Aerospace Medicine Primary Course: Major Brian Pinkston (DSN 278-8553, [email protected]) is the AMP Course coordinator for ANG applicants. Certified physicals are required prior to application and documentation of a completed Secret Clearance (standard, not “conditional, etc”) is required prior to the last increment. (The Guard is very fortunate to have Major Pinkstonto assist in this capacity. I can speak from personal experience with one of our budding flight surgeons who has now completedAMP Course because of Major Pinkston’s invaluable assistance—Thanks, WWP, editor

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Ice3 Flight Surgeons: Operation Deep Freeze, Antarctica 2002-2003

Dr. Mulvey’s Experience “On the Ice”

In November LTC (Dr) Mulvey deployed with

the New York Air Guard to Antarctica in support of the National Science Foundation. The New York Guardsmen fly ski-modified LC-130's, carrying supplies, fuel & personnel to the various bases & camps scattered throughout the continent. Since these aircrews & support troops need to have a flight surgeon readily available, 2-3 week slots are offered competitively to all the Air Guard flight surgeons throughout the country. Despite a rate of 4 applicants for every slot, LTC Mulvey had an inside track, having been specifically invited to apply by BG Shah, the New York State Air Surgeon.

Lt Colonel Buck Dodson, MD Chief, Professional and Aeromedical Services HQ Air National Guard The National Science Foundation (NSF) is the lead agent for the entire United States Antarctica Program (USAP). Although they have been pleased overall with our manning of McMurdo Station in support of Operation Deep Freeze (ODF), they continue to fine-tune requirements. This season, we will again supply Flight Surgeons (FSs) to support the flying operations of the New York 109th Wing's LC (Ski) -130s. (We are known as the "Ice3" FSs since that is the name of the 40 hr self-directed CME course that can be completed while there "on the ice".) There is still the desire that the first rotation be staffed by an FS with ODF experience as well as desire to staff at least one rotation with a FS from the active duty Air Force. The NSF currently desires FSs in an active flying position who have completed a residency. In addition, it is desired by the whole organization that FSs chosen have recent and ongoing primary care skills regardless of their specialty. A formal selection board met to rank the "Ice3 FS" candidates. Those FSs with the highest composite scores were assigned to the rotations (this season, 9 rotations). Other applicants were put on our "Back-Up" list or were "non-selects" (in which case, they were told how to make their application stronger and encouraged to re-apply for future seasons). More pertinent information can be found on the Ice3 web pages at our HQ ANG websites including www.ang.af.mil/sg. (which includes the article "USAP" authored by B. Dodson from the Spring 2000 issue of the "Alliance of ANG FSs" newsletter). Congrats to the selectees:

After a 2 day stay in New Zealand, where he was properly outfitted with extreme cold weather gear, an LC-130 whisked him to McMurdo Air Station on Ross Island, just off the coast of Antarctica. 7 1/2 hours later, the 120,000 lb plane touched down on 10-15 feet of ice floating on the 1,500 foot deep Ross Sea. Once plugged into the clinic at McMurdo, Doc Mulvey, as is typical of him, dived right into a Mass Casualty exercise! Between caring for crews & troops at McMurdo, he managed to squeeze in 2 flying missions- one to the South Pole, and a very lengthy air drop over western Antarctica. "Taking off from the snow was a great experience: when doing this on skis, the crews use the same soft-field technique that I use in the Warrior. I never thought I'd pop a wheelie in a C-130, though."

He even managed to save the life of an engineer at the South Pole without ever setting eyes on him, by aggressively changing the planned Air-evac & preventing a lengthy delay, getting this patient to an operating room in New Zealand in literally the nick of time. To do this he had to coordinate among the National Science Foundation, Raytheon (the contractor) and the flying wing; quite a three ring circus.

Colonel Douglas Cromack: Plastic Surgery Board Certified and q/wk shifts as an ER physician; 149th Medical Sqdn; San Antonio, TX Colonel Julian Levin: Family Practice Board Certified with ongoing hrs in ER as well as ortho and FP clinics; Active Duty at Scott AFB/St Louis, IL Captain James Galloway: Emergency Medicine Board Eligible and former MSgt in PJs (Pararescue); 127 th Medical Sqdn; Flint, MI

Major Michael Kitto: Emergency Medicine Board Certified; 127 th Medical Squadron; Flint, MI

Lt Colonel Charles Shurlow: Emergency Medicine Board Certified; Former ANG, Now Active Duty at Seymour Johnson AFB/Goldsboro, NC Lt Colonel Richard Sumrall: Family Practice Board Certified with ongoing Acute Care clinical experience; Active Duty at Moody AFB/Valdosta, GA

Major William Kammerer: Emergency Medicine Board Eligible; 163 rd Medical Sqdn; San Francisco, CA Lt Colonel Paul Turnquist: Family Practice Board Certified but primary practice is ER physician; 171st Medical Sqdn; Pittsburgh, PA Lt Colonel Jerry Fenwick: Emergency Medicine Board Certified; 169th Medical Sqdn; Columbia, SC

I guess I should explain the photos. Yes, that's the South Pole; the building to the right is the new research facility being raised up on pilings to keep it from being buried in the constantly blowing snow. The other is my first experience cross country skiing, with the ice cliffs behind me

http://www.ang.af.mil/sg


OPERATION DEEP FREEZE A JOINT ANG/AFRC PROGRAM

I recently had the opportunity to do “Windfly 2002” in support of operation “DEEP FREEZE”. It was not until I arrived at Christchurch New Zealand that I realized that this was a true ANG/AFRC joint operation. Det 13 is the command structure that oversees the military support for National Science Foundation’s Antarctic Program. Det 13 is an ANG asset and personnel. Col Mainard and his group provide the year-round operations and command structure for the program. Currently the flying assets are a mixture of mostly AFRC assets for the Christchurch to McMurdo leg although some associate and AD assets are also utilized. On the ice, the ANG New York ski 130’s have the show. Even the flight surgeon support is a joint operation. At Christchurch, AFRC flight surgeons are providing medical support during season on a rotating basis thru 4th AF 604th RSG. On the ice at McMurdo, ANG flight surgeons are providing medical support on a rotating basis thru the Guard Bureau. It indeed is a true joint operation for the ARC. For those of you who have not had an opportunity, this is certainly a unique opportunity. New Zealand is a lovely and friendly country with lush green grass and fields back dropped by the New Zealand’s Alps, which are snow covered during “Windfly” with great skiing, I am told. You turn the other directions and you are looking at a volcanic shoreline with volcanic harbors, lovely port villages and historical sites. Golf and biking are extremely popular in New Zealand as well as any outdoors type activity. New Zealand boasts about 11 animals for every human on the island with the majority being cattle and sheep although in the English tradition horses and dogs are popular also. The food is great and lots of it. The city of Christchurch is known as “The Garden City” with lovely gardens, huge public park in the downtown area and the lovely Avon River winding thru the city with “punting” boats for rent. If you are going to New Zealand, you need to get up on your Cricket and Rugby. These are the two sports that New Zealanders seem to live and die by. Everywhere you turn are sports memorabilia for the “All Blacks”, New Zealand’s national rugby team who are current reigning champions. The local Canterbury beers are very popular. In fact you are greeted to Christchurch at the airport by a huge telecom tower that is painted and logoed like a can of Canterbury beer. The job is pleasant, but hours can be long. As the flight surgeon, if you try to make crew briefs and debriefs, it can mean up at 4 AM then back 7 to 8 PM for the debrief. The flight missions can be mentally taxing also. You take off, fly almost 5 hours to the PSR (Point of Safe Return) only to find out you can not make it into Pegasus field due to weather and turn around to fly almost 5 hours back. This is called a boom-a-rang for obvious reasons. Then you do the same thing the next day and hopefully this time you make it. Over the ice the view is amazing. Hundreds and hundreds of miles of frozen sea are seen. Hugh ice floats

that are stories tall captured in the re-freeze looking like ice cities. When you reach the continent proper, snow covered Trans-Antarctic Mountains dominate the scenery along with glaciered cliffs and snow drifts. The starkness of the contrasting black and white with snow, ice and shadows is awing. From 29,000 feet the penguin colonies just look like black blotches on the snow. Fortunately for me, we had the NSF’s penguin expert on board who was photographing the colonies to monitor populations and told us that that black blotch was about 30,000 penguins. On the ice a totally different experience is encountered. Dealing with the frank starkness of surroundings as well as the cold is amazing. You get out and look in 360 degrees and all you can see is a wall of gray that is created by the fine blowing snow. Depending on the wind that wall may be just a few feet in front of you to miles. The day we were down it was just under a mile but when you are sitting in the middle of the Ross Ice Shelf there was not a lot in visibility range except for the immediate facilities at Pegasus. The “locals” told us it was a quiet balmy day when we were there; it was only –31 C with a wind chill of –55C – an absolute heat wave. It was still a challenge. Just trying to take photos of the activities was a challenge since the digital camera I had was fully charged for 240 minutes of operations but the LED would die in about 60 secs and the camera would not operate at all after about two minutes. You would have to go outside, take one photo, then go inside and take that battery out, put it inside you cold suit to warm up (a literally chilling experience), then put the other battery in to go take another photo. You would do this repeatedly until you ran out of things to photo or your arm pits froze – usually the later. The good news was, even though it was winter in Christchurch, it did not seem near as cold after one trip down to the ice. Point being besides giving some of you an exposure to opportunities that lie out there, this is a shining example of joint ARC operations that are going on day to day as we speak. It typifies how the ARC – ANG and AFRC, are jointly supporting missions both peacetime and wartime thru out world. Flight Surgeons are supporting their share of these operations. Keep up the good work. PS: Catch the frozen Surgeonsicle in the photo! Chuck O’Toole Editor, RFSA


Col. Hayek operated a general surgery practice in St. Louis County and served on the medical staffs at DePaul Health Center, Christian Hospital Northeast and St. Anthony's Medical Center in St. Louis County, and Missouri Baptist Medical Center in Town and Country, MO. Col. Hayek was a member of the St. Louis Metropolitan Medical Society.

Col (Dr.) Hayek was the creator of numerous medical exercise for example Arch-Angel, CareForce, and the most current one Care 02'. These exercises would emcompass not only the Missouri Guard but also other State National Guard Units as well as Civilian. Col (Dr.) Hayek pro-vided leadership and oversight for the exercise as only Dr. Hayek could. He was a great visionary, dedicated to the National Guard, medical readi-ness, and the state of Missouri. Dr. Hayek envisioned Missouri being the first state to receive an EMEDS package from the National Guard in 2004. He had begun preparing for EMEDS packages by suggesting a FEMA region organizational conregion 7 was to be the "prototype" region, organizing the 7 Air Guard medical squadrons to utilize EMEDS packages and augment homeland defense. He envisioned integrating civilian medical systems with all DoD medical assets, so everyone knew of each other's capabilities and resources. Dr. Hayek saw the lack of effective medical resource organization at the city, local, and state levels in preparing to protect our homeland and deliver medical services. Also the AFMS no longer has the patient population necessary to provide sufficient trauma skill sustainment.

cept. FEMA

Among the survivors are his wife of 24 years, Judy Makarewicz Hayek; three sons, Michael Hayek Jr., Daniel Hayek and Philip Hayek; and a daughter, Genevieve Hayek, all of Creve Coeur; his stepmother, Patricia Hayek of Calverton Park; two sisters, Susan Loubek of St. Peters and Mary Claire Hayek of Creve Coeur; and two brothers,

Mark Hayek of Wildwood and Thomas Hayek of Ferguson. Col. Hayek was a man of unlimited energy whose quest for developing ingenious trauma training platforms was beyond compare. Among his accomplishments, Operation SteelCure, Operation Archangel, and CSTARRS provided unique training opportunities for both the military and civilian authorities. Mike Hayek was a devoted husband and father, a respected surgeon, a dedicated officer and my friend. Memorial contributions may be made in Col. Hayek's name to the University of Missouri at Columbia School of Medicine, 1 Hospital Drive, DC205.00, Columbia, MO. 65212. Edith P. Mitchell, Brig Gen, MC, SFS, MOANG ANG Assistant, AMC/SG As a result, an initiative was created by Col Hayek, allowing

military medical personnel to receive required training in civilian institutions- now known as Center for Sustainment of Trauma and Readiness Skills (C-STARS) is an AF two week training program. He had a passion for his country, his state, and even his city. We can only hope that Dr. Hayek's successor carries on with his vision and does so in such a passionate manner as "doc" did. That individual will be stepping into big shoes. Our state and National Guard has lost a real patriot and hero.

The Alliance, the ANG, and the country lost a true

patriot with the untimely death of Missouri State Air Surgeon, Col Mike Hayek. He passed away Wed, Aug 28th of a massive heart attack.

A fighter flight surgeon, Col Hayek had hundreds of hours in the F-4 and F-15. He loved flying and often joked that AFTP's had paid his way through residency training. Pam Brassel, Lt Col, HqMoANG

C-STARS Director DSN 824-7346 Comm (314)527-7346 email: [email protected]

"Doc" Hayek was deeply involved in ANG medical activities in Missouri, like Project Archangel which promoted ANG medicine in underserved St Louis communities. He toiled long hours during the Missouri River floods of the mid 90's that brought recognition and honor to the Missouri ANG for their service to the stricken communities along the river.

Colonel (Dr.) Michael E. Hayek, director of trauma services at DePaul Health Center in Bridgeton and the State Air Surgeon of the Missouri Air National Guard, believed in giving the community the best trauma care available. Col. Hayek died Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2002, apparently of natural causes, at his home in Creve Coeur, Missouri. He was 48.

Mike was a trauma surgeon in civilian life. He combined his two loves--flying and trauma surgery--into the C-STARS concept. The Center for Sustainment of Trauma and Readiness is an two week training program which provides military readiness and sustainment training in trauma medicine for ANG flight docs and medical personnel in civilian hospitals in the St Louis area. He conceptualized and brought to life this training program, a continual memorial to his insight.

Born in St. Louis, Col. Hayek graduated in 1976 with a bachelor's degree in biology from St. Louis University. He earned a master's degree in biology there in 1978. Col. Hayek completed his medical degree in 1982 at the University of Missouri at Columbia School of Medicine. While he was finishing medical school, Col. Hayek entered the Missouri Air National Guard, where he was trained as a flight surgeon. Col. Hayek, formerly Commander of 131st Medical Squadron, was named Air National Guard Flight Surgeon of the Year in 1995 and 1996. He also was named Flight Surgeon of the Year from the Society of U.S. Air Force Flight Surgeons in 1995. His military decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal and Missouri State Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster.

At the time of his death, Mike had again taken "flight lead" in a vital ANG Medical Service mission-EMEDS. He worked tirelessly to position Missouri and FEMA Region 7 as the prototype and first region to utilize EMEDS packages to augment homeland defense. He led a validation exercise of this concept at Phelps-Collins ANGB in Alpena, Mi in August of this year to help launch this critical program.

Col Hayek was a commander, leader, thinker, patriot, doer, and flight surgeon extraordinaire. His family and his larger Guard family grieve his loss. EMEDS/FEMA Region 7 and the Missouri ANG have been left a huge "flight suit" to fill. Thomas F. Dolnicek, Col, MC, SFS

(continued on next column) SAS, NEANG



From Dave Jones Modern deployment medi-cine has much to learn from the past. World War II forward operational flying fields in the China-Burma-India (CBI) theatre were appallingly primitive, espec-ially early in the war. One such base at Chabua, India was a “dread and dismal place where dysentery was frequent and malaria certain, where haggard, sweating men dragged their feverish bodies through the day, ate execrable food, and shivered through nights often made unbearable by mosquitoes.” The noted war correspondent Eric Severeid and others took off from Chabua in August 1943 for a flight across Burma in a C-46, known at that time as “the flying coffin. An hour later, he was parachuting into the jungle with the crew and the rest of his party as the plane crashed. Another aircraft spotted them and dropped some supplies, and one of the survivors, using an air-ground liaison code, signaled, “Medical assistance needed.” Toward twilight, a third plane appeared. Three men parachuted to join the survivors: Lt. Col. Don Flickinger, the Wing Surgeon of the CBI Wing of the Air Transport Command, and two medical technicians, Sgt. Harold Passey and Cpl. William MacKenzie. It was the first jump for all three, and the beginning of a classic aeromedical rescue saga. Severeid later wrote, “I scrambled down the slope and slid to a halt before him as he…unwrapped protective bandages from his knees…He smiled easily as we introduced ourselves. “I’m Don Flickinger,” he said. “I’m the wing surgeon. Saw you needed a little help.” Flickinger assumed command of the party, provided care for the ill and the injured during the next month, including local native tribesmen, and led the party out of the jungle. Because the medical team had jumped without orders and without parachute training, some debate ensued at headquarters as to whether Flickinger and his men deserved medals or courts-martial. No doubt partly influenced by Severeid’s praiseful description of the rescue in the public press, HQ made the right decision, and all three medics finally received the medals. Flickinger went on to attain the rank of Brigadier General.

(Reference: Link MM, Coleman HA. “Medical

Support of the Army Air Forces in World War II. 1955. Washington: Office of the Surgeon General. pp. 878-9.)

(Dave, what a great story. Thanks. Gives us a real appreciation for our predecessors.—WWP, editor)

Credentials Transfer Briefs for Ramstein and Rhein Main Submitted by: Col Sandy Carlson, ANG Medical Readiness Assistant to USAFE/SG We need your help in ensuring that when you deploy to Ramstein AB or Rhein Main AB in Germany that a complete credentials transfer brief is provided to the 86th MDG/SGH at Ramstein. The 86 MDG/SGH would like these transfer briefs to be faxed to them at DSN 314-479-2400 prior to your arrival so you can begin work immediately. (Ramstein manages the credentials program for Rhein Main.) The 86 MDG has had a particularly difficult time getting credentials information for Flight Surgeons assigned to Squadron Medical Elements. Please help us solve this problem to keep our relationships with our active duty counterparts in Europe strong! (Sandy, Good idea to improve performance—WWP) AANGFS Program at AMSUS Monday, November 11, 2002 7:30—9:00 a.m.—Update from the Air Surgeon, Col Randall Falk (Convention Center, Room 207/208) • 2:00—3:00 p.m.—Alliance Business Meeting,

Col Harry Robinson • 3:00—4:00 p.m.—Cutaneous Manifestations of

Bioterrorism, Lt Col James Chow • 4:00—5:00 p.m.—Bioterrorism & Weapons of Mass

Destruction-The ANG Response, Brig Gen Anette Sobel

• 5:00 6:00 p.m.—Preparing for Regional Response for Homeland Defense, Col Bruce Guerdan & Col Harry Robinson

Tuesday, November 12, 2002 (Convention Center, Room 209) • 4:00-6:00 p.m.—Panel Presentation on Combined

Humanitarian Mission to Central America, Col Naj Nagendran

Wednesday, November 13, 2002 (Convention Center, Room 207/208) • 3:00—6:00 p.m.—Air Command and National

Defense, Brig Gen Herald Harmon Check the program for other items of interest:

(Answer from page 5) Superfly BGen Gerry Harmon


LTC William W. Pond, SFS, INANG 5730 Autumn Woods Trail Fort Wayne, IN 46835

AsMA AMSUS 2002 10-15 Nov, Louisville, KY 2003 4-9 May, San Antonio, TX 16-21 Nov, San Antonio, TX 2004 3-6 May, Anchorage, Alaska 14-19 Nov, Denver, CO 2005 9012 May, Kansas City, MO 30 Oct – 4 Nov, Nashville, TN

Always in Demand This chart shows the number of days that Reserve and National Guard troops spent on active duty each year. It spiked during the Gulf War and has never come all the way back down. Year - Duty Days FY86 - 867,912 FY87 - 1,035,897 FY88 - 1,083,543 FY89 - 1,399,840 FY90 - 5,463,966 FY91 - 44,224,353 FY92 - 5,316,219 FY93 - 5,702,271 FY94 - 6,626,040 FY95 - 8,007,459 FY96 - 13,508,653 FY97 - 12,592,628 FY98 - 12,746,908 FY99 - 12,540,831 FY00 - 12,091,192 FY01 - 12,721,290 Source: Defense Department


Senior flight docs! Your dues are current through the date

noted by your address. For your younger flight docs, what about getting them membership in the Alliance? Only costs $25.00

Dues may be paid at AMSUS or by mailing in the enclosed envelope.

Membership Application---Alliance of ANG Flight Surgeons ______ Member: Annual Dues $25 ______ New ______ Life Member: $250 ______ Renewal

Date: Unit: Rank: Hours: Last Name: Years: First Name: Active Flying: yes no MI: Home Phone: SSAN: Work Phone: Address: Fax: City: E-mail: State: Civilian Specialty: Zip: Academic Appt: Aero Rating: FS SFS CFS Member of Society of USAF FS: yes no Position: Member of AsMA: yes no

FS = Flight Surgeon, not otherwise specified ACLS Certified: yes no Current Until: CC = Clinic Commander ATLS Certified: yes no Current Until:

CFM = Chief Flight Med Trauma Med experience: yes no CAS = Chief Aeromed Services Air Evac Experience: yes no SAS = State Air Surgeon Comments:

Mail to:

Lt Col William Pond, MD 5730 Autumn Woods Trail Fort Wayne, Indiana 46835

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