Capt. Gabrielle Childs (left) and Staff Sgt. Becky Patterson sort sand flies and mosquitoes that will be tested for insect-borne diseases that threaten U.S. forces deployed to Iraq. They are assigned to the 447th Expeditionary Medical Squadron's public health flight. Captain Childs is deployed from Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., and Sergeant Patterson is deployed from Maxwell AFB, Ala. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Brian Davidson)

By Tech. Sgt. Brian Davidson
447th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs

BAGHDAD, Iraq  -- Most people see the war on terrorism as a global engagement where bombs and bullets are the biggest threat against Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors and Marines. However, there is a strike force here made up of two Airmen who are fighting the battle against another serious threat -- a microscopic one.

Throughout history, more armies lose their ability to accomplish their mission because of illness than by enemy fire, and Airmen of the 447th Expeditionary Medical Squadron’s public health flight are waging war against those illnesses.

“Our biggest threats here come from insect-borne diseases, food-handling practices, and most of all, personal hygiene habits,” said Capt. Gabrielle Childs, the flight’s commander who is deployed from the 56th Fighter Wing at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz.  “We are doing everything possible to monitor for insect-borne diseases, but individual personal protective measures are a critical part of force protection.”

Deployed Airmen should ensure uniforms are treated with permethrin, apply a DEET-based insect repellant to exposed skin, and take anti-malarial medications as directed, she said.

In the battle against disease-infected insects, Childs and Staff Sgt. Becky Patterson, a public health technician, place traps to gather sand flies and mosquitoes at dusk on a weekly basis. The traps are then collected at dawn and the insects are sorted by type and sex.

Since the females of each species are the ones that bite and carry diseases, Sergeant Patterson separates them for shipment to testing facilities. Mosquitoes are tested for malaria and sand flies are tested for leishmaniasis, a disease of particular concern for people deployed to Iraq.

Food safety is also an issue here.

“Although the people who operate our deployed dining facilities do a great job at both feeding and protecting the troops from food-borne illness, sometimes it’s how troops handle their food that can put them at risk,” Childs said. “By far the biggest threat is when people don’t wash their hands frequently, especially before eating.”

Patterson, who is deployed from the 42nd Aeromedical Dental Squadron at Maxwell AFB, Ala., said educating deployed Airmen about hygiene is a primary goal.

“Hand washing is the single most effective way to prevent the spread of disease,” she said. “Even just one person who disregards good hygiene can (affect) the health of countless other people.”

Deploying Airmen are encouraged to check their reporting instructions for required items to be issued to reduce the dangers of contracting an insect-borne disease, officials said. Once deployed, Airmen should also follow all guidance for food safety and hygiene measures.

“It’s the only way we can stay ‘fit to fight,’” Patterson said. “It’s the only way we can prevent needless causalities and accomplish our mission.”