Current Status and Impact of Army Transformation on Army Medical Entomology in Korea LTC William J. Sames IV Entomology Consultant 18 th MEDCOM

USFK Transformation Significantly reduce the number of bases/posts/camps that are operated by USFK (transition to 2 Enduring Hubs) Reduce the number of USFK military personnel in ROK However, Command Sponsored positions increase from 2900 to 6000 by FY09 Normalize Korea tours to 3 year tour of duty

Distribution of USFK Osan/Humphreys Pusan Seoul Chinhae Taegu Han River Mu Juk Kunsan Joint Training Facility Gwangju Current Future

USFK Entomologists Entomology Consultant, 18 th MEDCOM Entomologists (3) at Med Det (Ento/Sani) Host Nation civilian entomologists (2) embedded within the 5 th Med Det (Ento) Host Nation Civilian Entomologist (1) at 106 th Vet Det GS Civilian (1) with part- time entomology duties at IMC-Korea Contractor (1) serving as the Regional Emerging Infectious Disease Coordinator Support Entomologist (1- 2) at CHPPM-PAC, Cp Zama, Japan IMC-Korea = Installation Management Command-Korea formerly known as IMA-KORO = Installation Management Authority-Korean Regional Office

Entomology Consultant Assigned at Yongsan (Seoul) Position relocates to Hawaii with the activation of the Medical Deployment Support Command (FY09) Concerns: –No boots-on-the-ground field-grade military entomologist in Korea; no substitute for in-country experience –Lose prime resource for ensuring sound medical entomology decisions are presented to USFK leadership –Lose entomology interaction with Host Nation resources –Lose opportunities to further medical entomology knowledge of Korea –Lose opportunity to mentor junior entomologists in Med Dets

Detachment Entomologists Entomologist in 5 th Med Det (Ento) is the Commander Entomologists in the 38 th and 154 th Med Dets (Sani) are the Executive Officers Transformation: –38 th Med Det to inactivate in FY09 (or event driven: closure of Area I camps) –5 th Med Det relocates to Camp Humphreys (date TBD) –154 th Med Det relocates to Camp Carroll (date TBD) –5 th and 154 th convert to MRI configuration (FY09) –5 th and 154 th subordinate to Multifunctional Medical Battalion –MMB will have PVNTMED planners (72D/03; 68S30) Reduced bases/posts/camps should allow Med Dets to provide increased services Need local Senior Entomologist and PVNTMED planners to direct and facilitate entomological surveillance

KGS Entomologists in 5 th Med Det Two professional entomologists (KGS) Provide taxonomic and biological laboratory support to USFK and DPW Provide continuity, stabilization, and in-country expertise on medical entomology subjects Maintain extensive collection and database on USFK entomological collections Important entomological resource to USFK, must keep Relocation to Camp Humphreys with 5 th Med Det Need to ensure adequate laboratory space for this group

Veterinary Entomologist Host Nation Employee (KGS) Provide Stored Product Pest inspections and identifications on imported food commodities for use by USFK personnel –Food to commissaries –Food to dining facilities Position still required after transformation No change in status expected other than relocation to Camp Humphreys Needs adequate laboratory space

IMC-Korea Entomologist Duty as Natural Resource Coordinator with additional duty as Entomologist (Change from full-time Ento) –Pest Management Coordinator for IMC-Korea –Responsible for DPW/garrison pest control Reduction in the number of bases (= fewer pest control shops/personnel) will significantly reduce but not eliminate workload DPW/Garrison entomology duties still required after transformation; relocates to Camp Humphreys Entomology duties seen as secondary by IMC-Korea – expect decreased oversight and monitoring of entomology programs IMC-Korea = Installation Management Command-Korea formerly known as IMA-KORO = Installation Management Authority-Korean Regional Office

Regional Emerging Infectious Disease Coordinator Contractor funded by GEIS –Initial year plus four option years –Dependent upon yearly GEIS funding Works with 18 th MEDCOM personnel –Former Army Entomologist (COL-retired) with 10 years in-country experience –Maintains liaison with KCDC and Korean Universities for data and asset collaborations –Advises on infectious disease issues to include pandemic/avian flu, STDs, vector-borne diseases Synergizes activities of PVNTMED Consultants

Regional Support - CHPPM-PAC Located at Camp Zama, Japan About 2 hour flight to Incheon (Seoul) Can provide: –Pest management reviews/guidance –Vector diagnostics for malaria, Japanese encephalitis

In Review The 18 th MEDCOM Entomology Consultant position moves to Hawaii (FY09) 38 th Med Det inactivates (FY09 or event driven) 5 th to Cp Humphreys; 154 th to Cp Carroll (TBD for both) Keep 2 HN Entos at 5 th and 1 HN Ento at 106 th Vet Det, all move to Cp Humphreys (TBD); Ensure laboratory space! IMC-Korea Natural Resource Coord (Ento) moves to Cp Humphreys (TBD) Regional Infectious Disease Coord – dependent upon GEIS funding, moves to Cp Humphreys (TBD) Personnel: 2 Army Entos, 3 HN, 1 GS, 1 Contractor Sites: 1 Army Ento at Cp Carroll; all others at Cp Humphreys Support: CHPPM-PAC in Japan (Cp Zama), Regional Ento in Hawaii (vice 18 th MEDCOM)

Concerns in Review No Field Grade entomologist in Korea IMC-Korea with less emphasis on pest management Keeping 2 HN Entos at 5 th Med Det and 1 HN at 106 th Vet Det is good Med Dets may have time for entomology surveillance due to decreased number of posts/bases/camps

Potential Solutions Regional Entomologist in Hawaii must stay in close contact with KTO. –Provide same consultative service to KTO as before, but from a distance –Plan multiple TDYs to KTO (esp May-Oct) Authorize civilian GS-12 entomology position on TDA (currently required not authorized) Establish entomology “super lab” at Cp Humphreys with HN KGS as mainstays Provide space at “super lab” for visiting Regional and CHPPM-PAC personnel

Potential Solutions CHPPM-PAC will have to increase support to and oversight of base pest management operations as IMC involvement potentially declines. Regional entomologist and CHPPM-PAC will need to coordinate and plan in-country surveillance to maintain and increase knowledge of vector situation in KTO. Adequate resources (esp TDY funding) will need to be available to Regional Entomologist and CHPPM-PAC to properly support the KTO

Questions?

Camp Humphreys Expansion Backup slides

ExistingHumphreys 1,210 acres Camp Humphreys Humphreys Yongsan Area Future Expansion