Abstract: The US Air Force has a long history of aerial applications for the protection of US troops from arthropod-borne disease vectors dating back to World War II. Today, tactical command of the Air Force Aerial Spray Unit resides with the US Air Force Reserve and is assigned to the 910th Airlift Wing at Youngstown Air Reserve Station, Ohio. The Aerial Spray Unit (ASU) utilizes a modular aerial spray system (MASS) developed for use with C-130H airplanes. The Aerial Spray Unit conducts ongoing mosquito and herbicide control programs at multiple locations throughout the continental US. These spray missions allow entomologists, pilots, navigators, etc. to remain combat ready when and if they are called to deploy and protect our troops or civilians from arthropod-borne diseases in a variety of geographical locations. A supplemental but equally important role of the ASU is to mitigate effects of invasive species on DoD and federal properties. The ASU also responds to requests from the state and federal agencies to natural disasters such as hurricanes. The Aerial Spray Unit is tasked under DSCA (Defense Support to Civilian Authority) to control mosquitos or other disease vectors that may threaten human health or to are at unacceptable nuisance levels for local recovery operations. The most recent activation of the Aerial Spray Unit was in Louisiana in response to Tropical Storm Cristobal and Hurricanes Marco, Laura, Delta and Zeta. Eighty-three airmen made deployed to Louisiana and successfully flew 60 hours, 11 sorties, and sprayed >900,000 acres over the most affected areas. The response by the USAF to the Hurricanes that affected Louisiana, will not be the last. The CONUS role of the Aerial Spray Unit is to support local vector control agencies when local agencies are incapacitated or overwhelmed and/or the use of contract applicators is unfeasible or unavailable.
