<p> Page 1 AANGFS Newsletter Fall 2001 Alliance of Air National Guard \ Flight Surgeons Newsletter</p><p>Volume 13, Number 2 Published by the AANGFS and on website: www.sharmon.com/aangfs Fall 2001</p><p>In this Issue… FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK</p><p>President’s Desk (LtCol Lloyd) ------1 Recent events on the East Coast have forever Database Information------1 changed the atmosphere and appearance of our Alliance Officers------2 society and culture. Our previous discussions on Diversity in the ANG (BGen Harmon)------3 homeland defense have taken a more serious turn Operation Deep Freeze (LtCol Dodson)-----4 and I encourage all of you who are on training or Message from USAF/SG (LtGen Carlton)---4 disaster planning committees to engage your units in Biohazard Book Review (LtCol Pond)------5 active training with state and local agencies. Website News (LtCol Muller)------5 Suicide & Violence Awareness (Col Karp)----6 There will be many changes ahead in how the Air SPEARR & EMEDS (BGen Harmon)------7 National Guard interacts at home and abroad. I have Attack on America (MGen Higdon)------7 received several e-mails from Guardsmen who are Alliance Annual Dinner (LtCol Lloyd)------8 already on active duty and from some of our program Future Meetings------8 speakers who are being diverted to new locations on active duty. I hope to see some of you at AMSUS. (continued on page 2) inside fold inside fold inside fold Page 2 AANGFS Newsletter Fall 2001</p><p>(continued from page 1) The Alliance of ANG Flight Surgeons is also in a time of Clee Lloyd, LtCol, MC change. The Board of Governors met at the Aerospace Oregon ANG Medical Association Meeting in Reno, Nevada, in May of this year. A motion was passed to change the direction of the Alliance of ANG Flight Surgeons to coordinate primarily with Alliance Officers ASMA as our main meeting function each year. This change in direction will align the Alliance more closely with the ANGRC President: Lt Col Clee Lloyd, OR ANG Health Services Management Conference and our educational 24220 Skylane Drive session can be a part of HSM/ASMA. It also aligns the Canby OR 97013-8746 Email: Alliance with an organization that is specifically interested in [email protected] Vice-President: Col Harry Robinson, Jr. Aerospace Medicine and our duties as flight surgeons. 630 Shawnee Woods Drive AMSUS will continue to be important for our enlisted and clinic Medina MN 55340 staff and subject-specific training from the Bureau will be Email: [email protected] instituted at this AMSUS. This subject will be open for further Treasurer: BGen Annette Sobel, NM ANG discussion at the business meeting on Sunday afternoon at P. O. Box 1507 AMSUS this year. Please start the planning for man-days and Tijeras NM 87059-1507 funds to send your junior flight surgeons to ASMA in Montreal, Email: [email protected] Canada, May 2002. Secretary: Col John McGoff, IN ANG 6431 Creekside Lane Indianapolis IN 46220-4308 The next few weeks will be full of potential changes and Email: [email protected] events. Truly, “Interesting times”. I can rely on the ANG core Newsletter Editor: LtCol William Pond, INANG value of “Excellence in Service” to know that all of you will 4414 Trierwood Park Drive provide the best that this country has to offer in defending our Fort Wayne, IN 46815 homeland. Email: [email protected] Program Committee: LtCol Kirk Martin Sincerely, Education Committee: LtCol Ralph Warren Historian: LtCol Brett Wyrick Web site: Col Bob Janco Outside fold Outside fold Nominating Committee : Col Phil Steeves Outside fold</p><p>LtCol William W. Pond Please 4414 Trierwood Park Drive Affix Fort Wayne, IN 46815 Stamp Here</p><p>BGen Annette Sobel, NM ANG P. O. Box 1507 Tijeras NM 87059-1507</p><p>Guardsman Jerry Fenwick And friends at South Pole South Carolinians make friends easily. Page 3 AANGFS Newsletter Fall 2001</p><p> of “here we go again” with regard to more Equal</p><p>DIVERSITY IN THE ANG</p><p>In 1999, I spent a week at the ANG Surgeon’s Office working a number of issues for the staff as a State Air Surgeon. One important topic I reviewed was the issue of Diversity within the Air National Guard and particularly within the ANG Medical Service. I found it intriguing—and an issue of pride— that the ANG Medical Service exhibited much more diversity among officers than the ANG officer corps at large. For instance, 91 per cent of ANG officers were male (and 83 percent white male) while 63 per cent of ANG medics were male (and 57 per cent white male).</p><p>Those numbers are not that surprising, given the large percentage of females in medical career fields relative to other military jobs. Nonetheless, the numbers for me reinforced the concept of fairness and diversity for the ANG Medical Service.</p><p>During a recent Senior Leaders Orientation Course held this summer in Washington, we spent almost two whole days on the topic of Diversity among the Air Force. I must confess that on first glance my eyes glazed over and my head began to assume a nodding position, and I entertained thoughts Page 4 AANGFS Newsletter Fall 2001</p><p>Opportunity Training, etc. I had always felt ANG Asst, ACC/SG that we had beaten this Equal Opportunity horse almost to death the past few years. Ice3 Flight Surgeons: Operation Deep Freeze, Antarctica 2001-2002 After all, it has been my experience— readily voiced to others—that the military has Lt Colonel Buck Dodson, MD always represented the most level playing Chief, Professional And Aeromedical Services field in life. I truly believe that the U.S. military Air National Guard is overwhelmingly fair in promotion standards and recognition and achievement The National Science Foundation (NSF) is the lead agent opportunities for its members, much more so for the entire United States Antarctica Program (USAP). than comparable civilian organizations and Although they have been pleased overall with our manning of McMurdo Station in support of Operation Deep Freeze career fields. You will find no greater (ODF) in the past, they continue to fine-tune requirements. champion of Equal Opportunity than Air Force This season, we will again supply Flight Surgeons (FSs) to and ANG commanders and senior leaders— support the flying operations of the New York 109th Wing's myself included—as we recognize that asking LC(Ski)-130s. (We are known as the "Ice3" FSs since that is people to risk their lives for their nation and the name of the 40 hr self-directed CME course that can be their colleagues requires the utmost in completed while there "on the ice".) This season, there is still the desire that the first rotation be staffed by an FS with ODF fairness, respect, and recognition. experience as well as desire to staff at least one rotation with a FS from the active duty Air Force. Unlike past years, there However, one thing that I realized in is no longer support for one of the rotations to be double- manned by FSs. The NSF currently desires FSs in an active this latest Diversity exposure is the absolute flying position who have completed a residency. In addition, requirement of our Armed Forces—all of them it was desired by the whole organization that FSs chosen —to truly represent the diversity that is have recent and ongoing primary care skills regardless of the strength of our nation. The folks who their specialty. This year, a formal selection board met to pass the budget (the Congress of the U.S.) rank the "Ice3 FS" candidates. Those FSs with the highest and the voting population of America have composite scores were assigned to the rotations (this season, 9 rotations). Other applicants were put on our "Back-Up" list less and less direct military exposure and or were "non-selects" (in which case, they were told how to experience. The latest statistic I remember is make their application stronger and encouraged to re-apply that less than 10 per cent of Congress and for future seasons). More pertinent information can be found even less of the general populace have ANY at the Ice3 website (which includes the article "USAP" direct military experience. Furthermore, the authored by B. Dodson from the Spring 2000 issue of the "Alliance of ANG FSs" newsletter). Congrats to the American population is more diverse than selectees: ever. If we as a country are to survive with a Lt Colonel John Lewis: Emergency Medicine BC; Ice3 strong military (and I believe we must have a Veteran "00-"01; 162nd Medical Sqdn; Tucson, AZ strong military to survive) then our military Colonel Douglas Cromack: Plastic Surgery BC and q/wk MUST relate to Congress and to the shifts as an ER physician; 149th Medical Sqdn; San Antonio, population as a whole. This mandates TX attention to diversity at every level. Lt Colonel John Mulvey: Family Practice BC including current ER coverage; 166th Medical Sqdn; New Castle, DE Lt Colonel Robert Desko: General Surgery BC and GP It behooves all of us to “walk this walk” experience from recent Humanitarian Missions; 150th and not to simply “talk the talk” when we lead, Medical Sqdn; Albuquerque, NM mentor, and recruit. We are in the Armed Lt Colonel Kenneth Kaylor: Ortho Surgery BC and Forces for the benefit of our nation—all the ongoing GP experience as Physician - U Wisconsin Teams; people of our nation—and I am exceedingly 148th Medical Sqdn; Duluth, MN proud of our diversity and our strength. Lt Colonel George Martin: Emergency Medicine BC; Active Duty at Kadena AFB/Okinawa, Japan Major Charles Shurlow: Emergency Medicine BC; Gerald E. Harmon, Brig Gen, SC 192nd Medical Sqdn; Richmond, VA ANG Page 5 AANGFS Newsletter Fall 2001</p><p>Lt Colonel Paul Turnquist: FAMILY PRACTICE BC but primary practice is ER physician; 171st Medical Sqdn; Pittsburgh, PA Message to the Air Force Medical Lt Colonel Richard Clark: Family Practice BC with 13 Service from our Air Force yrs ER practice; currently in hospital clinical rotations as a RAM; Brooks AFB/San Antonio, TX Surgeon General</p><p>It has been one week since the tragic events of 11 September 2001. Like many of you, I watched in horror as terrorists attacked our homeland. The minutes following the attack seemed like hours, the attack scenes repeating themselves over and over in our minds. Those initial minutes quickly accelerated into a rapid succession of events that make me proud to be your Surgeon General. </p><p>Within minutes of the attack the fine medics of the Air Force Medical Service were stepping up to meet the many challenges of the day. In just over 24 hours, we had over 500 deployed medics on the ground at McGuire and Andrews Air Force Bases. With three EMEDS+25s, one EMEDS basic, a 250-bed ASF, bioenvironmental engineers, mental health crisis intervention teams and more, we had enormous capability to assist in any way necessary. In addition, the collection and shipment of over 2000 units of blood to New York City was vital to their survival efforts. Our presence was impressive!</p><p>Most of our medics have now redeployed to their home bases, however a small contingent of public heath, mental health, dental, and radiology experts remain at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, and Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, in support of ongoing operations.</p><p>I applaud you for your professionalism and willingness to serve. At the same time, I exhort you to prepare for the long road ahead. It will be filled with challenges that will call on our very best efforts at all levels: from our newest airman to our most experienced general officers. As maintainers of the “human weapon system”, we must continue to ensure our troops are fit to fight, and be ready to deploy with our forces as we execute the Air Force mission. </p><p>Put your house in order, so when duty calls you are prepared to serve. Remember, the American people are counting on us to restore security and seek out those who are responsible. I am proud to serve as your Surgeon General and lead the best-trained, best- equipped, and best-prepared warrior-medics in history.</p><p>God Bless America and the Air Force which keeps her strong!</p><p>Signed, Page 6 AANGFS Newsletter Fall 2001 Biohazard Paul K. Carlton, Jr. By Ken Alibek $12.95 from Dell Publishing</p><p>A book from Col Falk’s “must read” list, Biohazard is “The Chilling True Story of the Largest Covert Biological Weapons Program in the World—Told from the Inside by the Man Who Ran It.” Kanatjin Alibekov began his bioweapons career in 1973, one year after the Soviets signed the Biological Weapons Convention Treaty prohibiting the development and use of biological weapons. He rose to the rank of director of the Soviet Biopreparat Laboratory, so he is well prepared to chronicle and document the sobering facts of the Soviet Bioweapons program and the violations of numerous treaties. Alibek also makes a compelling argument that the Russians had developed tularemia as a weapon in Kirov in 1941 and then used it on the Germans in 1943. Even after the 1972 treaty, he observes, “Although we officially had a small amount of the virus (smallpox) in the Ivanovsky Institute of Virology in Moscow—matching the world’s only other legal repository of the strain in the United States—we cultivated tons of smallpox in our secret lab in Zagorsk,” and “In the city of Kirov, we maintained a quota of twenty tons of plague in our arsenals every year.” At Obolensk he notes projects to develop antibiotic- resistant strains of tularemia, plague, brucellosis, glanders, melioidosis, and anthrax and to pass the work off as biodefense. At the Novosibisk lab the upper levels were floors dedicated “to work on smallpox, Ebola, Machupo, Marburg, Junin, and other hemorrhagic fevers, as well as VEE, Russian spring and summer encephalitis and a number of other deadly viruses.” The author very completely explains the accidental anthrax release that occurred on the last Friday of March 1979 in Sverdlovsk at Compound 19, the Fifteenth Directorate’s busiest production plant. The pulverizer filters clogged, so they were removed. Unfortunately the next shift restarted the process without air filters; anthrax was released, and hundreds downwind died. Sverdlovsk Communist Party Chairman, Boris Yeltsin, arranged the cover-up to blame the deaths on tainted meat sold on the black market. Several black marketers were subsequently publicly tried and convicted. Case closed! Because Americans had charged (correctly) that the Soviets were violating the Biological Weapons Convention, in 1988 Gorbachev signed a decree “ordering development of mobile production equipment to keep our weapons assembly lines one step ahead of inspectors.” As late as 1990, “The total figure spent that year on biological weapons development was close to a billion dollars.” The book magnificently weaves bioweapons factual data with the author’s personal life story. In September of 1992, Col Alibekov defected to the United States and spent several subsequent years being debriefed. The question in my mind—Where have the other former biological weapons scientists and germ cultures gone? Reviewed by Bill Pond, Editor Page 7 AANGFS Newsletter Fall 2001</p><p>Website news you can use:</p><p>Check out our new website: www.sharmon.com/aangfs The website has been updated and streamlined to ease navigation. New features include an interactive "Case of the Month", and an ANG 101 slide presentation. The Case of the Month will present a typical medical presentation in a flyer, with questions regarding the Aeromedical disposition. You will have an opportunity to respond to the questions, and feedback and discussion will be presented the following month. And if you have any interesting cases you would like to submit drop me a line at [email protected] I’d also love to hear suggestions for new and different content/features. Also, look for the new and improved AANGFS Flight Surgeon's Guide CD-ROM at AMSUS. The disc Suicide will include is a permanent a number solution of new tofeatures a temporary and documents, problem. What you can do… as well It is as the updates second to leading prior ones. cause of death in the USAF.  Know the suicide risk factors and signs.  The typical USAF member who commits suicide is a  Take all threats seriously. Reidwhite Muller,enlisted male, LtCol, E-3 to E-5, MC, in his SFS late 20’s.  Be direct about what’s really bothering the person.  Let the person know you care. THINGSRisk factors YOU for SHOULDsuicide include… KNOW ABOUT HelpSUICIDE—Col the person identify Robert reasons toKarp, live, suchMD as family, Suicide Serious and violence relationship awareness problems, education especially programs with a are spouse now required, children,annually, friends, by AFI. his/her All MDS contributions. or Med Group/Hospital Commandersor significantThank are other. responsible you, Merck for this program.  Don’t be judgmental; help by validating the person’s feelings  WorkTheAt related programthe AANGFSdifficulties. of materials Meeting found at in this November, web site includes: a completeand the Suicideneed for and help Violence in resolving Awareness problems. Education Program  Ask the person how he/she is feeling and if he/she has a suicide (discussesthe Previousmembership suicide suicide and elected attempt.violence riskto pursue factors and sponsorship suggests interventions), a suicide prevention leaflet, a checklist of actions for  Victim of domestic violence, child abuse, rape, or other plan. Are you thinking of killing yourself? How will you do it? personnelfor the AANGFSevaluating an Newsletter, individual at butrisk ofno suicide advertising or assault, and a PowerPoint presentation, for supervising OICs, NCOICs, and assault. Do you have the means to do it? When are you planning to do it? Commanders,would be allowed. summarizing Gerry the mainHarmon points solicited of the program. such These documents may be readily adapted to your unit or organization (they Friendare Word or family or PowerPoint member based).completed Robert suicide. Karp MD, Board CertifiedHave in Psychiatry you thought (ABPN), this through? Col. MC FS, SG 122nd MDS, USAF INsupport ANG. Use of fromalcohol Merckor drugs. & Company. Their  Remove easily accessible means of suicide, such as weapons, donation Significant defrays loss or theanniversary publication of loss. and mailing pills, and razor blades. costs. Unrealistic They personal/spousal/parental have been very professional expectations. and  If he/she has a weapon and makes any threats of violence, first non-directingExtreme perfectionist. in their support. get yourself to a place of safety, then, on base, call Security  DisintegratingSo next family time relationships. you see your Merck Police IMMEDIATELY; if you are off base, call 911. Representatives, Financial and/or legalplease problems. take a moment to talk  If an immediate threat of suicide exists or you are in doubt, to them Mental and health thank problems, them especiallyfor their support.if untreated. escort the person to the nearest Emergency Room with  Combinations(Thanks, of WWP, these risk editor.) factors. psychiatric facilities (e.g., in the Ft. Wayne area, St. Joseph Hospital, Parkview Hospital; in Ohio call 911 and ask for the Warning signs of suicide include… nearest Crisis Intervention Unit/or Telephone Hotline). Thanks Verbal to threats Camille such Pond as “I and wish Jennifer I were Aikendead,” foror “You’d  If there is no immediate threat, strongly encourage the person substantialbe better off publication without me.” assistance, WWP, editor. to seek help through the 122 MDS physicians or health  Loss of interest in work, school technicians, or other area mental health treatment facility.  Marginal performance on the job.  Follow-up to ensure the support was sought and provided.  Daredevil,Alliance self-abusive, of ANG or Flight destructive Surgeons behaviors.  If you are uncertain about what to do: During a UTA, contact  Withdrawal from family,Newsletter friends, or co-workers. one of the MDS physicians, Military Equal Opportunity Office  Development of a suicide plan. (Social Actions), or Chaplain. Off drill, contact a MDS health This newsletter is published two or three times annually by the Alliance technician, or you may email Robert Karp MD, Col., MC FS at of  Air Loss National of interest Guard in Flight usual Surgeons. activities. Articles for inclusion are solicited Themes from members of death: and leaving guest authors. poems, Material diaries, for drawingspublication orcan [email protected] be letterssent to: where they can be found.  Feelings of helplessness,LtCol William hopelessness, W. Pond worthlessness, A supervisors role in suicide guilt, or confusion.4414 Trierwood Park Drive  Negative/pessimisticFort Wayne, thinking. IN 46815 prevention…  Giving away prizedEmail: [email protected]  Emphasize a positive, caring work environment. Viewpoints Significant expressed changes in this inpublication eating, sleeping,do not necessarily or grooming. represent  Know your personnel, and their ”limits.” official Saying positions “good-bye” of the Alliance, via phone the Air calls, National settling Guard, debts, the United  Identify those who may be “at risk.” Stateschanging Air Force, life or insurance. the Department of Defense. Letters may be edited  Be actively concerned and involved. for grammar, Expressed spelling desire or length, to die but (notes, not content. comments). William W. Pond  Know available helping resources. Editor and Publisher  Be available and supportive.  Help the person face and solve his/her problems in a positive way that will minimize embarrassment and enhance self-esteem. Page 8 AANGFS Newsletter Fall 2001</p><p>SPEARR (Small Portable Expeditionary Aeromedical Rapid Attack on America Response) By  10 person subset of EMEDS Basic UTC’s  FFEP1 - 2 Major General Dennis Higdon  FFMFS - 5  FFGL2 - 3 It has been ten days since the Attack on America.  Up to 500 personnel supported I’m sure you have shared the first feelings I had of  7 days of supplies shock, disbelief and anger at such a diabolical act.  Sling portable After the initial shock I wanted to know what role  1 pallet the Air National Guard and I could fulfill to aid in  Alaska Tent Shelter  10 K generator the transport and treatment of the injured. The  Man-portable backpacks without generator and shelter tragic reality is that there were few survivors; more than 6,000 people are missing and presumed dead. My thoughts and prayers are with those EMEDS Basic victims and their families in New York City, the (Expeditionary Medical Support) Pentagon and the heroes of the flight that went  25 person team down in Pennsylvania.  500 to 2000 personnel supported for 7 days  10 major trauma surgeries Last night our President addressed the nation  20 non-operative resuscitations without resupply in describing us as a nation awakened to danger and one 48-hour period  4 patient holding bed capacity now called to defend freedom. His words helped  AE policy is less than 1 day me to move away from my grief and dismay to  3 pallets firm resolution. We will respond to this atrocity  No vehicles as a nation and we will do it appropriately and decisively with our superb leadership. EMEDS + 10  57 person team Tomorrow I will join General Carlton in  10 inpatient beds Washington. I do this with great confidence and  support 2000 – 3000 personnel for 7 days pride in the Air National Guard I represent. I  10 major trauma surgeries know that you will personally be ready to serve in  20 non-operative resuscitations within 48 hour period any capacity to aid the country in this effort. Air  12 – 17 pallets National Guard flight medicine is filled with talented physicians, many of whom are leaders in their various specialties and in their communities. EMEDS + 25 You will all be a remarkable addition to any  86 person team future conflict if called on to play a part. But,  25 inpatient beds what I am most thankful for is that you have  3000 – 5000 personnel supported for 7 days assured the ability of the Air National Guard war  20 major trauma surgeries fighter to enter this conflict. You have done it by  20 non-operative resuscitations in 48 hour period your dedication to unit support, the “blue suit”  17 – 25 pallets medicine piece of our job. The weapon system you have at your unit will ultimately perform its Gerald E. Harmon, mission because it has been cared for and well Brig Gen, SC ANG maintained. You are the maintainer of the most ANG Asst, ACC/SG 19 Sep 2001 important piece of that system, the war fighter in the cockpit. </p><p>I am confident you have done your job well. Page 9 AANGFS Newsletter Fall 2001</p><p>LtCol William W. Pond, SFS, INANG 4414 Trierwood Park Drive Fort Wayne, IN 46815</p><p>ALLIANCE ANNUAL DINNER</p><p>Please plan to set aside Tuesday evening November 6 for an evening with your Alliance friends and family at the Casa Rio Restaurant in San Antonio, TX. The restaurant is on the River Walk in downtown San Antonio, an easy walk from most hotels for AMSUS. Social Hour starts at 6:30 pm and dinner at 7:30pm. </p><p>Tickets will be available for $30 at the AMSUS meeting or ahead of time from LtCol Clee Lloyd ([email protected]). </p><p>AsMA AMSUS 2002 5-9 May, Montreal, Quebec 10-15 Nov, Louisville, KY 2003 16-21 Nov, San Antonio, TX 2004 14-19 Nov, Denver, CO 2005 30 Oct – 4 Nov, Nashville, TN Year AsMA AMSUS</p><p>2002 5-9 May, Montreal, Quebec 10-15 Nov, Louisville, KY 2003 16-21 Nov, San Antonio, TX 2004 14-19 Nov, Denver, CO 2005 30 Oct – 4 Nov, Nashville, TN</p>