Ill Winds: Air Force Reserve's Response to Hurricanes

MEMORANDUM FOR 757AS/DO
FROM: 757AS/DOS
DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE
757AS/AERIAL SPRAY FLIGHT
YOUNGSTOWN AIR RESERVE BASE
VIENNA OH 44473-5924
SUBJECT: Pest Management Professional’s Post Mission Report JTF Katrina/Rita
1 November 2005
1. SUMMARY
On 8 September 2005, the 910 th AW, Aerial Spray Flight deployed to conduct aerial
spray operations for mosquito and filth fly control in support of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) Hurricane Katrina relief effort and were officially tasked to the
Joint Task Force (JTF) Katrina on 9 September 2005. Two spray aircraft, one spare aircraft, and
three crews were placed at Duke Field, Florida. A total of 53 people were involved with the
flying, entomology, maintenance, administrative, communication and life support issues relating
to the mission. Following the landfall of Hurricane Rita (24 September), the State of Texas (TX)
also requested mosquito control in counties affected by the storm. Still working from Duke Field,
one plane sprayed in each state until Louisiana (LA) was complete, then both planes concentrated
on completing the TX spray blocks. The mission was complete on 14 October 2005 and
redeployment to Youngstown ARS, Ohio occurred on 18 October after spraying a total of 2.88
million acres.
2. BACKGROUND:
Hurricane Katrina made landfall on 29 August near Buras, LA. Prior to reaching LA, it
crossed Florida as a Category 1 storm. Gathering strength in the Gulf of Mexico, Katrina became
a Category 5 storm and eventually made landfall south of New Orleans as a Category 4 storm
with 145 mph winds. Hurricane Katrina caused extensive damage as would be expected from
such a powerful storm. High winds downed trees and destroyed homes, while heavy rain caused
extensive flooding. When some levies in New Orleans collapsed, the City’s worst nightmare was
realized as widespread flooding ensued. Water rushed into homes and overran water treatment
facilities to the point where travel by boat became most efficient. Pre-hurricane evacuations had
been incomplete in New Orleans and the flooding now exacerbated the evacuation problem and
significantly increased the difficulty of relief efforts. One major concern was the potential for
filth fly production from habitat created by fecal contamination, muck, trash, and animal
carcasses. It was the filth fly concern that prompted the quick deployment of the Aerial Spray
Flight. The secondary concern was that Louisiana already had a background of West Nile Virus
(WNV) circulating in mosquito pools and birds. The potential for a serious encephalitis outbreak
is increased by post-hurricane conditions. In particular, power outages and living in temporary
shelters expose people to additional mosquito bites. By early September 62 cases of WNV had
been reported in LA and Mississippi and, thus, mosquito control was considered a high priority in
the strategy to protect public health.
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