United States Naval Flight Surgeon Handbook
2nd Edition 1998

The Flight Surgeon and Medical Planning

References:

• DOD 6420.1-R

Points of Contact:

• Host Facility in CONUS

• Navy Environmental and Preventive Medicine Units (See EPMU Chap.)

• Unit Supply Officer

• Unit Intelligence Officer

• Armed Forces Medical Intelligence Center (AFMIC)

Msg: DIRAFMICFTDETRICKMD
Ltr: ATTN:________________________
Fort Detrick
Frederick, MD 21701-5004

DSN Numbers: 

General Medical Intelligence Information Services AFMIC Medical Intelligence Duty Operations

343-7154 343-7214 343-7603 / 7511 343-7511 343-7574

General:
Whether planning for a CONUS training evolution or an overseas deployment, the line Commander must have at his disposal all information which will potentially impact upon completion of the mission. The medical department is often overlooked in the myriad of details surrounding pre-deployment planning, but its role is not to be taken lightly. Consider for a moment that U.S non-combat losses have historically been greater than combat losses in every conflict in which we have been involved. During WWII, 95% of hospital admissions were non-combat related. This alone would seem to be adequate justification for you to get involved as early as possible in deployment planning.

Deployment:
Deployments in CONUS will usually be to a fixed and established facility which can serve as a base of operations. A few phone calls to establish contact with the medical department there may be all that is required to find out what their capabilities are, and determine what additional arrangements you need to make.

Deployments to remote locations or out of CONUS will require considerable planning and preparation. Among the many questions to consider are:

• Climate/Temperatures/Precipitation

• Altitude and type of terrain

• Edible and poisonous plants

• Dangerous animals and snakes

• Availability and safety of water supplies

• Endemic diseases

• Vector control

• Current epidemics

• Host medical capabilities and availability

• Host scientific and technical capabilities, including NBC warfare

• Aeromedical evacuation routes and receiving facilities

• Initial medical supply and re-supply

• Status of Forces agreements

• Decedent affairs

Once armed with all information necessary for you to begin preparations for departure, and as early as possible, prepare a thorough briefing for the line Commander with assessment of risks, requirements, and your plans to deal with casualties plus all preventive measures you wish to institute.

Further Responsibilities:

• Work with your PMU on rations/water/sanitation issues

• Country hazard briefs for all hands

• Immunization and dental completion for all hands

• Corpsman Training

• Buddy Aid Training all hands

• Work with Chaplain and legal for personal affairs all hands

• Aeromedical briefs as required for all aircrew

AFMIC Products:

Medical Capabilities Studies - Individual studies on foreign countries. Topics include environmental health, diseases, public health services, military and civilian health care, medical personnel, materiel, training and R&D.

Disease Occurrence Worldwide - A monthly summary, by region, of the diseases reported in foreign countries.

Port Studies - Medical intelligence inputs on foreign ports, including water potability and sewage treatment, public health, diseases and information on military and civilian health care facilities.

Foreign Medical Facilities Handbook - A summary of key hospitals in principal foreign cities throughout the world.

Scientific and Technical Intelligence Studies - Studies on a wide variety of life science topics such as foreign medical biotechnology, biological warfare capabilities, the biological effects of non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation, chemical warfare agent antidotes, NBC warfare casualty management, blood substitute R&D and hyperbaric medicine.

Special Studies - Initiative products on subjects of current interest.

Weekly Wire- A brief message format product which describes significant current medical situations in foreign countries or foreign scientific and technical developments in the life sciences. U.S. Government organizations which need this product should send a message or letter to AFMIC-SA/PS stating their message address and point of contact, and specifying the level of security storage available at their organization.

Quick Reaction Responses - Immediate responses to consumer questions on subjects of interest, related to a variety of military medical or life science topics. Responses may consist of hard copy AFMIC products or a summary of information available in AFMIC's files.

Foreign Medical and Materiel Studies - Evaluations of the characteristics and performance of foreign medical material.

United States Naval Flight Surgeon Handbook: 2nd Edition 1998

The Society of U.S. Naval Flight Surgeons