VIENNA TWP., Ohio - A specialized unit from the Youngstown Air Reserve Station flew a C-130H Hercules aircraft to Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, to conduct a large-scale aerial spray mission. The operation, conducted from September 8 through September 12, aimed to control the mosquito population at the Naval Weapons Station base.

The 910th Airlift Wing, which is based in Vienna, maintains the Department of Defense's only large-area fixed-wing aerial spray capability. The unit treated approximately 17,000 acres of marsh and remote habitat with a pesticide approved by the EPA.

Capt. Ben McMillan, a medical entomologist with the 757th Airlift Squadron, said the goal of the mission was to ensure service members could focus on their duties without the distraction of mosquito bites. The unit targets "hot spots" where mosquitoes are likely to be concentrated.

The aerial spray capability allows the team to reach areas inaccessible to ground vehicles, saving time and resources for the base's pest management team.

erial spray qualified loadmasters, assisted by a medical entomologist, operate a 910th Airlift Wing Modular Aerial Spray System aboard an aerial spray-modified C-130H Hercules aircraft dispersing mosquito control product.
erial spray qualified loadmasters, assisted by a medical entomologist, operate a 910th Airlift Wing Modular Aerial Spray System aboard an aerial spray-modified C-130H Hercules aircraft dispersing mosquito control product. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Noah J. Tancer

 

According to Staff Sgt. Henry Kincaid, the non-commissioned officer in charge of pest management at Joint Base Charleston, the mission helps prevent diseases like West Nile, dengue, Zika, and malaria, which can affect service members.

Aerial missions are flown at dark using night vision goggles to target mosquitoes during their peak activity times.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Thanks to Tech. Sgt. Noah J. Tancer for providing the information and photos.