Alliance of Air National Guard Flight Surgeons &

Air Force Reserve Flight Surgeons’ Association

Volume 19, Issue 1 Published by the AANGFS/AFRFSA and on website: www.aangfs.com Spring 2008

In this issue ANG Asst to AF/SG MGen Ray Webster

1

AANGFS President Col William Pond

2

ANG Asst to ACC/SG BGen Jim Chow

3

AANGFS Officers & Publisher’s Information

3

Posthumous Promotion For James Weaver

4

Operation Deep Freeze Maj Andrew Todd

5

Crete Deployment LTC Scott McPherson

6

Refresher Training Col Jim Bartlett

8

Membership Forms AFRC/AANGFS

9

NGAUS Recommendation 10

Remembering Our Veterans

11

Future Vectors 12

Future Meetings 12

My Thoughts Ray Webster Maj General, ANG Asst/SG There are two things I would like to focus on this month. Both deal with volunteerism and our 'away' mission. The first is a way for our physicians and critical care nurses to have a more sane way of volunteering and getting into the fight overseas. This past fall, the AF Surgeon General had a meeting with his consultant phy-sicians on how to cover the ongoing overseas require-ments for a variety of medical specialties. Each of these medical (and in some cases nursing) areas have con-sultants that are now being tasked with managing these rotations to make sure they are covered. At this meeting I had the opportunity to speak to the lead con-sultant about working with our ANG medical specialists who have a desire to volunteer to assist in covering all or part of a rotation. There was a no hesitation YES they would be willing to work with our ANG physicians to plan the rota-tional coverage well in advance to give our docs time to plan for the time away from their civilian practice. There are some details to be worked out, however Colonel Riggins and staff are address-ing these. Information on this topic should be coming out soon in the HEADS UP. My second topic is around SME Flight Surgeon coverage for our ANG iron going into theatre. We are short fal-

ling a significant number of flight sur-geon requirements that our Active Duty counterparts are required to pick up many times on short notice. When this happens we have an active duty force that is frustrated that we can't cover our own requirements and makes them be-gin to question what they are getting for the federal dollars that come to us to man these positions. In other words, how is the ANG Medical Service rele-vant in this sphere of the operational world? I will refer back to my last article for the Alliance Newsletter where I talked about us being in different, diffi-cult and challenging times. I also pointed out we had some very smart folks who are in our ANG Medical Ser-vice and we would need to be creative in coming up with innovative ways to tackle many of the issues facing us. With that, I will throw this out to the Alli-ance membership, how do we take care of our own deployed fliers? I realize this may be a spirited discussion, but it needs to occur and soon. This could be a topic for Readiness Frontiers or in an-other forum, however its time to put the thinking caps on and see what we can craft to address this ongoing, vexing is-sue. Challenging times give us opportu-nities to be stretched and create where we might not have otherwise. These are challenging times and I look forward to the creativity. Challenging indeed. Thanks General for the stimulating thoughts and discussion. I have confidence with your leadership we’ll find solu-tions to these challenges. RM

The day soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the

day you have stopped leading them. They have either lost

confidence that you can help them or con-cluded that you

do not care. Either case is a failure of leadership." Colin Powell

From the AANGFS President, Col William W. Pond, MD, SFS, MC, INANG SAS/INANG Value for Guard Flight Docs: the Alliance of Air National Guard Flight Surgeons remains robust and active, due to the sub-stantial contributions of the so many: Readiness Skills Verification (RSVs) are requirements for flight surgeons (48G). The Alliance provides a program that meets all these requirements, provides documentation certificates and Category I CME—at no cost to Alliance members, what a dea1! Being able to accom-plish specialized, required training at one lo-cation in short time is cost effective for the doc and the unit. All because of the hard work of Ralph Warren, Mark Snyder, Mark Mavity, Dave Ashley, Lisa Snyder and numerous Guard educators. Thank you. Flight Surgeon Collegial Interactions: the Alliance meetings and newsletters are forums where we gain the experience and wisdom of our colleagues—keys to learning about mili-tary opportunities, deployments, professional military education (PME), flight medicine exchanging flight safety briefs, sharing inspection information, and enjoying some great stories over a brew. Dinner and Inspiration: The annual AANGFS Banquet provides an opportunity to listen to and interact with truly great members of the flying community in a relaxed dinner setting. Baghdad Medical Success: The vision of MGen Gerry Harmon--2007 was the first time that the Guard assumed responsibility of a major theater medical facility in combat due in large part to Alliance members working to assure that the lead be taken by flight surgeons: Buck Dodson, Mike Paletta, Chris Knapp, Jim Balserak, Chris Shue, Ken “Coupon” Eggerstrom, Darin “Gazelle” Jacobi, Brett Wood and Marsa Mitchell. A resounding success for the Air Guard. Feedback and Support: The Air Guard is truly blessed to have senior leaders who are conscientious, endeavoring to enlist the input and support of flight surgeons. MGen Webster BGen Falk, BGen Chow, Col Riggins, Col Mavity, LtCol Snyder comprise

an essential leadership corps who work hand in hand with the flight surgeons individually and as represented by the Alliance. AANGFS Newsletter: the premier publication by Guard flight docs for Guard flight docs, a quality legacy of Gerry Harmon (with assembly help from Linda on the kitchen table) continued by Reid Muller who also reinvigorated the website: Thank you both. Membership remains strong and finances sound, enough so to provide CME & RSVs with certificates, great dinner speakers, awards and plaques, newsletter, website—all this and more for only $45.00 a year. Sound financial management and untold

hours donated by so many of you. As outgoing AANGFS President, it has been a privilege to be a part this vibrant assem-blage of dedicated patriotic selfless physi-cians. Due to what you have done and will continue to do, the future remains bright. Bill “Doc” Pond AANGFS President

TSgt Read and Col Bill Pond attend to a critically ill patient at BIAP

From ACC: I had a very productive meeting at the Joint Medical Executive Skills Cap-stone Symposium in Washington DC. The meeting composed of a week with senior medical health system leaders from all other services. The discus-sions of both the speakers and the par-ticipants were open and direct. It was an invaluable opportunity to exchange information and to work together to-ward our goals. Military Health System Mission: Our team provides optimal Health Ser-vices and support to our nation’s mili-tary mission--anytime, anywhere. Casualty Care and Humanitarian Assistance Medical System 1. Reduced combat losses (Consequences of wounds) 2. Effective medical transition from service and seamless transition from battlefield to VA or other rehab facili-ties 3. Improved rehabilitation and reinte-gration to force 4. Increased interoperability with allies, other government agencies and NGO’s 5. Reconstitution of host nation medical capability

Strategic deterrence for warfare. Fit, Healthy, and Protected Force 7. Reduced medical non-combat loss

8. Improved mission readiness (train and protect force to enhance JTF Com-mander freedom of action) Optimized human performance (physical and psychological) and in-creased healthy behavior on battlefield Healthy Individuals, Family and Communities 10. Healthy communities/healthy be-haviors (public health) 11. Health care technical quality 12. Access to care 13. Beneficiary satisfaction and per-

ception of MHS quality Perception of MHS quality by recruit-ment pool Education, Research, and Perform-ance Improvement 15. Sustained capable MHS Work Force and Medical Force 16. Contribute to the advancement of medical science 17. Contribute to global public health 18. Create and sustain a healing envi-ronment (facilities) Performance based management and efficient operations Our Medical System is the backbone of the military. The system is good but improvement can be made for 2008. Medicine should not take a backseat to other systems in the military. We make up what we are. The organi-zation and ability to work together is the golden standard for the Medics. Looking forward to see everyone at Readiness Frontiers! Jim C Chow, BGen MC CFS ANG Assistant to the Command Surgeon, ACC

• Articles and announcements for the next newsletter should be submitted by 1 July 2008 (but I will be happy to accept them anytime before then.)

• Once again, authors, thanks for the great contributions—RTM, editor)

Alliance Officers

President: Col William Pond Email: wwpond@aol.com

Vice-President: Col David Ashley Email : dwashley@verizon.net Treasurer: Col Brett Wyrick Email: fightrsurg@aol.com Secretary: Col Reid T. Muller Email: mullerr@alltel.net Newsletter Editor: Col Reid T. Muller

5200 Ridge Road Cazenovia, NY 13035 Email: mullerr@alltel.net

Program Committee: Col David Ashley Education Committee: Col David Ashley Historian: Col Brett Wyrick Web site: Col Reid Muller

Alliance of ANG Flight Surgeons Air Force Reserve Flight Surgeons

The newsletter is published two or three times annually. Articles for inclusion are solic-ited from members and guest authors. Material for publication can be sent to: Col Reid T. Muller 5200 Ridge Road Cazenovia, NY 13035 Email: mullerr@altel.net 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. Reid T Muller (RTM) Editor and Publisher

Col GL Bondar MA to the Commander, 59MDW Lackland AFB, TX Email: dondoor@aol.com

Colonel James D. Weaver To Receive Posthumous Promotion to Brigadier General Former Air Surgeon, Colonel (Dr.) James D. Weaver, recognized as “Father of the Air National Guard Medical Services” (ANGMS), will be honored on Saturday, July 12, at a ceremony celebrating his posthumous promotion to the rank of Brigadier General as an honorary member of the Pennsylvania Guard Reserve Forces. Lt. Gen. John B. Conaway (ret), former Chief of the National Guard Bureau, will be the keynote speaker during a ceremony from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Willow Grove Naval Air Station, Pennsylvania. Maj. Gen. (Dr.) Dennis A. Higdon (ret), former Air National Guard Assistant to the United States Air Force Surgeon General and Chairman of the Weaver Society Board, will preside. Colonel Weaver’s extensive medical, public and military accomplishments include:

Family medicine physician Erie, Pennsylvania; state and national healthcare organizations. Undergraduate from Syracuse University; Medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania.

U.S. House of Representatives 1963-65, represented Erie, Crawford and Mercer Counties (PA); member of House Science and Astronautics and House Appropriations Committees.

Medical consultant for Warren Commission on the Assassination of President John F. Kennedy and Presi-dent’s Commission on Campus Unrest (Kent State).

Air Surgeon for the National Guard Bureau at the Pentagon from 1969-1983, led ANGMS to full merger into “Total Force” Initiatives; revitalized Air Evacuation (AE) mission and developed Early Commis-sioning Program for physicians, as well as State Air Surgeon and ANG Assistants Programs.

The Air National Guard instituted the James D. Weaver Lecture Series and the James D. Weaver Award given to the outstanding Senior Health Technician

Numerous awards and decorations from the Air National Guard, the Air Force and the Army, including the Air Force Meritorious Service Award with Two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Occupation Medal, World War II Victory Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Air Force Reserve Medal. He was awarded the George E. Schafer Award of the Society of USAF Flight Surgeons. Additionally, he was honored by three states with the Mississippi Magnolia Cross, the Commonwealth Of Pennsylvania Distinguished Service Award and the Alabama Distinguished Service Award. Upon his retirement, he was also awarded the National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS) Distinguished Service Award and the National Guard Bureau Eagle Award. Dr. Weaver said that he was proud of all of his awards but that the Admiral Joel T. Boone Award from the Association of Military Surgeons of the United States (AMSUS) was a very special honor.

Dr. Weaver was interred in Arlington National Cemetery in 2004. Survivors include eight children, 24 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

To RSVP and for ceremony information, contact CMSgt. Robert Graham at GrahamR@co.rockland.ny.us. For information on the Weaver Society, visit http://www.thejamesdweaversociety.com.

How many is too many? Experience from Operation Deep Freeze (ODF) 2006-2007 By Andrew Todd, Major, MC, FS, SCANG When events occur at a low probability, there is still a statistical probability that these events may be just a cluster that has a definite probability of occurring. During November 2006 ODF Season, seven cases of High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) resulted in aeromedical evacuation to the McMurdo Station. This was in contrast to 7 HAPE aeromedical evacuation cases total in the previous six seasons. Was this the tip of a HAPE iceberg starting to melt multiple cases eleven thousand feet (physiologic altitude) down to the McMurdo Sta-tion at sea level, or just a statistical anomaly? HAPE is the non-cardiogenic form of pulmonary edema that can affect people at higher altitudes, most com-monly elevations above 9000 feet. In the spectrum of altitude illnesses, HAPE and High Altitude Cerebral Edema are most likely to be lethal. The treatment for both includes immediate descent and oxygen. Staging and gradual ascent allow better acclimatization, decreasing the likelihood of disease. In 1891, a physician who ascended Mt Blanc described his own clinical course in great detail, but failed to acclimatize as he predicted and subsequently died from pulmonary edema. Typical ascent to the bottom of the world is rarely gradual. After a brief stay at McMurdo station, the cook, construction worker, astrophysicist or other specialist will board a LC130 and fly 800 miles or so and land al-most two miles above sea level. All the new “Polees” are encouraged to relax and acclimatize for the first 2-3 days. The unusual number of cases of HAPE (7/258 workers at the Pole) during that November attracted a great deal of attention to process and possible breaks in the system. Were there common denominators that could have been prevented or risk factors that could have been avoided? The true incidence of HAPE is difficult to determine, since no figures directly address South Pole altitudes and rapid ascent. There have been some reports of soldiers flown directly to 14500 without acclimatizing that the incidence of HAPE is above 15%. Unlike the transudate pulmonary edema seen with Acute Mountain Sick-ness, HAPE victims have a protein rich exudate laden with neutrophils. Because the mechanism of these changes in pulmonary vascular resistance and pulmonary hypertension are not completely understood, risk fac-tors are hard to identify. It has been noted that males are affected more than females, and that HAPE is more than ten times more common in those less than 20 years old. Patients with a prior history of HAPE may have a much higher incidence. After a careful analysis of the seven cases, as well as prevention and treatment protocols no disturbing trends were found. Some patients were overweight, some were in outstanding physical shape, no common foods or lodgings or other consistent themes were noted. All patients recovered and were returned to the Pole without incident, with the exception of one patient who had cardiac and COPD risk factors requiring further workup and evaluation in New Zealand. As our operations include higher altitude environments, joint service, and even civilian personnel we need to keep our index of suspicion high for prevention and efficient treatment opportunities to maximize our person-nel resources. My thanks to 2006-2007 Antarctica Drs. Bruce Staeheli and Harry Owens, as well as LtCol Cheryl Lowry, MC, SFS, USAF.

Chania Deployment One the greatest reasons for being a flight surgeon in the Air National Guard is being able to see the world. I have been in the ANG since 2001 but have cherished the opportunities I have had to deploy. In my short tenure I have been to Iceland, Turkey, Antarc-tica, and most recently Crete. Our unit will soon be in Honduras and flight docs from here have traveled to France, Italy, and Guam. Yes, there are trips to the AOR as well. There has been a trend toward increasing num-bers of shortfalls in these deployments even to “favorable” locations. I know it is hard to take time away from our busy practices and families. I have to limit deployments to one a year but I have yet to be disappointed. Most recently I was deployed with my tanker unit to the beautiful Mediterra-nean island of Crete. This island is about 200 miles from east to west and 50 miles across at its widest point. It is a rugged mountainous location sur-rounded by the deep blue Mediterra-nean Sea. The island is a Greek pos-session though around the base where we were located the people often can speak English quite well. The base is Naval Air Station, Souda Bay, and the mission is much like what we have done in Incirlik. We refuel the cargo aircraft headed into and out of the AOR. As the Flight Doc I was housed in a hotel about 18 km from the base with the flying crews. The purpose is to be nearby if one of the crew members needs medical care. Usually this is an advantage over base housing. An at-tempt is made to house crews where they may be able to get the best rest regardless of the time of day. Never-theless, since I am there for both flying and non-flying personnel there are also advantages to being closer to the base (and the clinic where I have access to supplies and medical equipment). The Senior Medical Officer and staff at

the Branch Health Clinic (BHC) Souda Bay made us very welcome. They pro-vided adequate space for me and my two medical technicians. I had taken care of privileges prior to arrival and was able to start right away using the CHCS system. We didn’t have many medical emergencies but we were available 24/7. When needed I had transportation to run out to the base and see ill members. The BHC has a small pharmacy with a very satisfac-tory formulary for treating most ill-nesses. There was a good relationship with the local physicians and we were able to obtain an orthopedic consult urgently on a weekend (in fact the very morning I was scheduled to leave). . Crete has absolutely beautiful scen-ery. From my hotel I could see the cobalt blue Chania harbor as it led to the Mediterranean Sea. Glancing to the left I had a spectacular view of the White Mountains. In March these are snow capped and brilliant in the morn-ing sun. I found the people to be very pleasant. They loved it when I tried to speak Greek. A few simple phrases used such as “good morning” (kalimera) or “please” (parakolo) always brought a smile. Most were happy to have their photos taken and it is best to ask. The island is clean and safe. People there do not even remove the keys from their vehicles.

.Chania has a quaint harbor with many shops and restaurants. March is early for tourist season but more and more places opened during the time we were there. The food was excellent even in our own hotel. There were usually groups going to town for food or shop-ping each night. Sightseeing was also possible on week-ends and sometimes later in the day when the clinic was closed. I carried a phone and tried to remain close to the area. There were Navy flight surgeons at Souda Bay who were very willing to help when asked. This allowed me to venture a little further and also to take some flights with my crews. I flew on three refueling missions in the two weeks we were there and could have probably done more if the schedule had allowed. Crete has hundreds of archeological and sacred sites to see. In my opinion it isn’t necessary to leave the island to see interesting things but there were groups which arranged a ferry ride to Athens to see the fabulous ruins there. I will save that for some later time. I traveled with different people trying to make the car available for more than just me. We ventured into the moun-tains where the roads have few guard rails and sometimes narrow to one lane. Sheep and goats wander along the verge and sometimes whole flocks block the path. We drove along the coast seeing beaches and crashing surf from the lofty narrow roadways. In the summer the beaches are packed with

tourists. I was told that Chania goes from a population of 150,000 in the winter to 800,000 in the peak season of summer. I think we were there at the ideal time. I can’t fathom driving those roads when they are full of tour-ist traffic. I don’t know if the mission in Crete will be an on-going rotation. We have done much the same thing in Incirlik, Turkey, though travel was much more restricted when I was there last. The deployments provide opportunities to fly and to get to know the members of the unit more inti-mately. These experiences help us to relate better to those whom we serve. I hope to be able to continue being a part of the deployed unit. Next time you get that email asking for assis-tance to fill in a deployed location don’t just dump it in the trash file. Think about it and consider participat-ing in this prime aspect of Flight Medicine in the Air National Guard. Scott McPherson, MD LTC, MC, FS JFHQS, Nebraska State Air Surgeon

Have any of you been a subject in an AFSAS report? Unfortunately, I can say yes to this (AFSAS #372839 for anyone who is interested in reading the report). The picture shows our happy CCAT Team on our C-17 before the incident. Briefly, it was a Class E (physiological) event that oc-curred on a planned OIF CCATT mission back in January 2005. My first ever flight on a C-17 was scheduled to leave Qatar, pick-up patients at Balad and proceed to Germany. A pre-flight brief by the pilot noted a decompression of this A/C on a previous flight. Emergency procedures were briefed; all flight crew and air evacuation crew had quick-don masks with walk-around bottles and the CCAT Team was given Emergency Passenger Oxygen Systems (EPOS) to use. As you can guess, the A/C decom-pressed, I donned my EPOS which failed, passed out and woke up on my back breathing 100% oxygen from a walk-around bottle and spent the night in the hospital at Al Udeid. Although my EPOS unit did fail, in retrospect , I think my inexperience and lack of knowledge of the emergency systems of the C17 played a role in my event. I had received life support training lectures regarding all A/C used for CCATT missions at my initial CCATT training 6 months prior to this mission (and I promise I did pay attention) but nevertheless, I didn’t recall information that might have spared me from experiencing this incident. The point of this story is to let you know about useful online refresher training courses that I found on the web. Aeromedical Evacuation Courses are available for C-130, C-17, KC-135, and C-21 aircraft. These courses go over emergency procedures and emergency systems for all of these aircraft. I have found them very informative and useful refresher training. While many A/C emergency procedures and systems are similar, there are unique aspects with each aircraft which makes this training especially useful when flying in unfamiliar A/C. This site is accessible from any internet connection at https://amc.csd.disa.af.mil. It is also accessible from the AF Portal: login to the portal, scroll down on the AF Portal home page to the “Top Viewed Education and Training” listing, click on Advanced Distributed Learning Services (you may have to login only the first time) this is the AF ADLS site, click on the ADLS Gateway Logo at the bottom of the welcome page, click on the graphics to find specific training for each command (AMC patch for this site), click on the course listing to find the specific course. Jim Bartlett, Col, IA ANG, MC, SFS, State Air Surgeon

Membership Application---Alliance of ANG Flight Surgeons ______ Member: Annual Dues $45 ______ New _____ Renewal _______ Life Member: $250

Date: Unit: Rank: Hours: Last Name: Years: First Name: Active Flying: yes no MI: Home Phone: 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 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 CCATT = Critical Care Air Transport Team Mail to: Comments:

Col Reid Muller 5200 Ridge Road Cazenovia, NY 13035

ASSOCIATION OF AIR FORCE RESERVE FLIGHT SURGEONS MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION (PLEASE PRINT AND CHECK APPROPRIATE ANSWERS)

NAME/RANK:__________________________________ MAILNG ADDRESS:_____________________________________________________________ DUTY ADDRESS: (unit)______________________________ PHONE NUMBER: (civilian)___________________________ (military)___________________________ e-mail (civilian)____________________________________ (military)_________________________________ APPLICATION: NEW___ RENEWAL___ Data Change___ MEMBER STATUS: ___MEMBER ___ASSOCIATE (non flight surgeon) __FELLOW (must be member of Aerospace Medical Association and Society of USAF Flight Surgeons) MEDICAL SERVICE: ____ MC ____FLIGHT SURGEON

______ DC ____NC _____MSC ____BSC DUTY CATEGORY: ___ CAT A ____IMA ____AD ___RET DUES: $25.00/YEAR____ $60.00/THREE YEARS____ $250.00/LIFE MEMBER____ MAKE PAYABLE:Association of USAF Reserve Flight Surgeons MAIL TO: Membership Chairman, AFRC FS Association 1102 Holiday Court Granbury, Texas 76048

IMPROVING MEDICAL AND DENTAL READINESS

Background: The Department of Defense (DoD) requires all members of the National Guard to be medically ready as a condition for deployment. Currently, DoD requires all members to receive an annual dental examination. However, DoD provides no dental coverage for the traditional Guard member who is forced to pay the costs of meeting this directive. Dental deficiencies continue to be a reason for assignment of non-deployable ratings at mobilization sites. This has forced affected units to either deploy with less than 100 percent of their personnel or to provide from other units to back-fill for the disqualified members. DoD has found dental deficiencies throughout the entire reserve component are the cause of a significant amount of lost duty time. Seventy percent of dental emergencies in the National Guard were preventable by examination and treatment prior to mobilization. Recommendation: The National Guard Association of the United States recommends that the National Guard Bureau, the De-partment of Defense, and the Congress of the United States support authorization and appropriations for pro-grams that will:

• Provide all members of the National Guard one year prior to deployment with coverage under TRICARE Prime that will include all medical and dental procedures necessary to bring the member into compliance for de-ployment

• Provide all members with an Annual Dental Examination (ADE) at no cost to the member, or alternatively,

• Provide stipends for dental insurance premiums and reimbursement of out of pocket expenses for dental care costs incurred by National Guard mem-bers for dental readiness procedures performed one year prior to deploy-ment.

FROM NGAUS Col Pete Bickel

Gratitude I received this note today, and I thought I would share it because we daily come in contact with veterans who

have nobly served their family, comrades and country. They returned home without fanfare, living in their communities quietly, humbly and modestly.

Before patients enter surgery, I talk to them and their families; in this instance, as so many others, I shook his hand, looked him in the eye and said, “Thank you for your service.” A word of appreciation and smile mean so much to our veterans.

Brenda, your father, Ralph, like so many other veterans was a true, quiet and modest American hero. Thank you.

Doc Pond

Hot Off The Press! $75K Cash/ $50k HPLRP 44E EMERGENCY MEDICINE 45A ANESTHESIOLOGIST 44F FAMILY PHYSICIAN 44M INTERNIST 44Y CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE 45B ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON 45S SURGEON 48A AEROSPACE MEDICAL PHYSICIAN 48R RESIDENCY TRAINED FLIGHT SURGEON (Note: Only if the member’s

medical specialty IS NOT already eligible for any of the above listed incen-tives)

47G DENTIST This is the draft proposed AFSCs eligible for bonuses and LRP for next year. Keep your eyes peeled for the final draft.

NYANG Flight Surgeons work side by side with ANG and ARNG personnel in a joint CERFP validation exercise at Fort Drum

Reid T. Muller, Col, NYANG 5200 Ridge Road Cazenovia, NY 13035

Future Annual Scientific Meetings • Boston, Massachusetts - May 11-15, 2008

• Los Angeles, California - May 3-7, 2009

• Phoenix, Arizona - May 8-13, 2010

• Anchorage, Alaska - May 8-12, 2011

Future Vectors As we move further into the world of joint operations and interoperability, expect to see more opportunities for training, planning, and operating with our Army colleagues, particularly as the Joint Force Headquarters structures become more integrated at the state level. As part of NGB’s efforts to ensure integrated Homeland response, it has formed the Joint Advisory Council (JAC), supported by the Field Advisory Councils (FAC). The Joint Surgeon Field Advisory Council (JSG-FAC) is responsible for providing input from the field to the JSG to ensure seamless integrated all hazards medical response. Representatives are aligned by FEMA region, and the ANG is well - represented at the table. Look for more information in the next issue. Ed.

2007 (Air Force) 11-16 Nov Salt Lake City, UT

2008 (USPHS) 9-14 Nov San Antonio, TX

2009 (Army) 15-20 Nov St. Louis, MO

2010 (Navy) 31 Oct -5 Nov Phoenix, AZ

2011 (VA) 6-11 Nov San Antonio, TX

2012 (Air Force) 11-16 Nov Phoenix, AZ