The Evolution of OIF Contingency Pest Control to Enduring Pest Control: The

Issues and Challenges

LTC Jamie Blow

30th Medical Brigade

Heidelberg, Germany

Contingency Operations

• An emergency, involving military forces, that is caused by natural disasters, terrorists, subversives, or by a required military operation.

• Contingencies can range from a few months (short term) to years (long term or enduring).

Short Term Contingency Operations

• Limited duration operations (months not years).

• Base camps usually composed of tents or use existing structures.

• Limited improvements made to base camp area.

• Military usually provides pest control; however, local contractors could also be used.

Short Term Contingency Operations

• Just Cause, Panama, 1989

• Hurricane Andrew, Florida, 1992

• Restore Hope, Somalia, 1993

• Uphold Democracy, Haiti, 1994

• Hurricane Mitch, Central America 1998

• Operation New Horizon, Central Am, 1999

Long Term Contingency Operations

• Unspecified duration (>1 year)• Base camps become semi-permanent

– Wooden huts, trailers or hardstand structures are used for housing and offices.

– Significant improvements are made to buildings and new construction occurs.

• Shift from military support services to contractor support services (food, water, housing, vector, sanitation, etc…)

Long Term Contingency Operations

• JTF Bravo (Honduras) 1982-present

• SFOR (Bosnia) 1995 -2007

• KFOR (Kosov) 1999 - present

• JTF GTMO (Cuba) 1992 - present

• OEF (Afghanistan) 2002 - present

• OIF (Iraq) 2003 - present

Contingency Pest Control

• Technical Guide (TG) 24 provides guidance on the use of pesticides in contingency environments.

• List of approved contingency pesticides is limited.

• No specific guidance given on contingency contract requirements to include host nation contractors.

• No guidance on pesticide storage.• Shipping of HAZMAT is often an issue.

OIF 05-07 Pest Control

Long Term Contingency Operations

• As bases become semi-permanent pest problems change and increase.

• Security of pesticides.

• Environmental and human health impacts.

• Cost becomes a significant factor.

• Larger selection of pesticides needed.

• Troops expectations increase.

Pest Control Issues for Long Term Contingency Operations

• Contractor requirements– State or DoD Certification– What about host or third country nationals

• Pesticides – DoD approved and Non-approved – Contingency list vs DoD list

• Pesticide Storage– What is adequate– Location and Security

• Oversight– DoD Certification – Who has it and Who needs it

Conclusion

Long term contingency operations present unique and varying challenges. The pest management professional on the ground must implement appropriate measures to ensure that the program is efficacious and safe. The development of guidance for long term operations would help to delineate expectations and requirements.