Medical entomology unit prepares for deployment

By Loni Witscheber, Triad contributor

      A handful of Soldiers make up a unit that does not automatically come to mind when one thinks of combat operations overseas, but the unit's mission is crucial.

Spc. Jeremy J. Scott (left) and Staff Sgt. Patrick R. Tully, members of the 1437th Medical Entomology unit, undergo Combat Lifesaver training at Fort McCoy. (Photo by 1st Lt. Ricardo J. Vazquez)

      The 1437th Medical Entomology unit, a U.S. Army Reserve unit headquartered in Gainesville, Fla., deals not only with bugs, but with preventative medicine and non-related battle injuries (NRBI).

      Maj. James E. Kendrick, commander of the 1437th, said the NRBIs are all those injuries that take place with a Soldier, safety included, that have nothing to do with combat: food preparation and delivery, water, sanitation, hand-washing, temperatures in the kitchen, etc.

      "We will be going to forward operating bases (FOBs) and conducting inspections, collecting air samples, testing water, etc.," said Spc. Pamela S. Lillie, a member of the 1437th.

      It is imperative that Soldiers are protected from bacteria and/or diseases that would prohibit them from performing their mission well, Kendrick said.

      "Compared with the rest of the world, there is no water like that of the United States; we can drink almost anywhere and not worry about it," said Kendrick. "But when you go past the U.S. borders, you better take a purifier with you, because most countries don't have the same standards as we do."

      1st Lt. Ricardo J. Vazquez, an entomologist with the 1437th, said his duty will be to set traps to collect specimens, such as flies and mosquitoes. After the specimens are collected and recorded, they are sent stateside for tests, he said.

      Staff Sgt. James D. McLendon, noncommissioned officer in charge, was deployed for eight months in Afghanistan and has experience with what the unit will be doing in theater.

      "We dealt with sand-flies and diseases, such as leashmaniasis, which causes open sores and lesions on the body," said McLendon.

      Kendrick said the unit will work directly with hospitals, especially sick call sections. 

      In theater, the unit will look at spikes during sick call.  Kendrick, who was deployed to Afghanistan in 2003, said the most common cases dealt with were diarrhea breakouts, which were the result of not using precautionary techniques, such as hand washing at all times.

      Though Soldiers may practice proper hygiene techniques in the United States, many  forget about normal lifestyle habits once they're in theater; they have to adjust to another country, said Kendrick.

      Members of the entomology unit conduct daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly inspections of areas where Soldiers buy food in addition to the mess halls. Though there may be a surprise visit on occasion, for the most part, organizations know when the entomologists will inspect.

      "We are supporting healthy military standards and making Soldiers think," said Kendrick. "We can walk into a mess hall and if it's not up to standards, we can literally close it down."

      The 1437th will be replacing another entomology unit in-theater, and will work throughout various FOBs. 

      Kendrick said his unit gives Soldiers a basic concept of health because they "must be at their optimum ability at all times."

      The unit lived at tactical training base (TTB) Freedom, and trained at both TTB Freedom and TTB Liberty at Fort McCoy.

      "The most challenging training was the urban operations," said Spc. Brittany K. Martin. "It was difficult because you have people all around you, good and bad, and you have to be very careful not to make a mistake."

      Not only were the convoy operations challenging with their various scenario exercises, especially in high heat, said Lillie, but it was very good to have Iraqi contractors teaching their language and culture.

      "Our training was very good -- I enjoyed it and was very impressed," said Kendrick. "The trainers were excellent and interested in us doing well so that we can come back home safely."

      "The training at Fort McCoy was some of the best training I've ever had," said McLendon. "The unit is going to be able to do their job, and in a worst-case scenario, they'll know what to do."

      "We're 100-percent ready for our mission and I'm proud to serve with this unit for a year," said Vazquez.

(Witscheber is a public affairs specialist for Eagle Systems and Services Inc., contractor for CONUS Support Base Services.)