General Medical Officer (GMO) Manual: Administrative Section
Deployment Checklist: Flight Surgeon
Department of the Navy
Bureau of Medicine and Surgery
Peer Review Status: Internally Peer Reviewed
(1) Introduction
Deployment is an exciting part of the career for the flight surgeon. Deployment preparation for each flight surgeon will vary depending on the mission and type of command to which he or she is attached. Regardless if you belong to a P-3 squadron in Brunswick, an F-14 squadron in San Diego, or the 2nd MAW at MCAS, there are certain guidelines, which may be helpful. No single reference is all-inclusive. However, the following is a practical list that may be used in preparation for deployment.
(2) Do Your Homework (predeployment arrangements)
(a) Obtain deployment references. The COMNAVAIRLANT/PAC 6000.1/6000.2 is very helpful for identifying medical readiness and medical battle readiness requirements. This reference can be obtained by requesting a copy from the following address:
COMNAVAIRLANT
Force Medical Code N02M
1279 Franklin Street
Norfolk, VA 23511-2494
(757) 444-7028, DSN 564-7028, FAX (757) 445-1231
(b) Project a 4 – 6 month predeployment schedule securing dates for major events such as ordering supplies for Authorized Minimal Medical Authorized List (AMMAL), medical record screening, and immunizations, etc. Coordinate this schedule with operations and your executive officer.
(c) Study the geographic regions and cultures you will be visiting. Some medical intelligence resources include Navy Environmental Preventive Medicine Unit (NEPMU), Armed Forces Medical Intelligence Center (AFMIC), your Intel officer, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (CDC). Consider answering the following questions:
(1) What will be the ports-of-call? Will there be any detachments?
(2) What potential endemic diseases might you encounter? Find out by obtaining a hard copy or CD-ROM version of the DISRAPS (Disease Risk Assessment Profiles).
(3) Find out who has gone there before you and ask them about their experiences (Get the gouge!).
(4) Is there a need for malaria prophylaxis?
(5) Which specific immunizations will be needed? (i.e. hepatitis B, hepatitis A, immunoglobulin, typhoid, anthrax, etc.).
(6) Environmental threats and hazards.
(d) MEDEVAC planning
(1) What ships or hospitals will be available to accept referrals?
(2) Who are the essential medical liaison personnel or points of contact? Work out the details before departure.
(3) What is the MEDEVAC process and what platforms will be available for transfer? What special arrangements do you need to make taking into consideration the currently available transfer platforms? Obtain the appropriate Commander in Chief (CINC) medevac instruction.
· The advance party should obtain as much local health logistic information as possible. If you cannot accompany the advance party, send them a list of questions related to the specific situation.
· Ensure medical spaces are designated for you and your corpsman before departure. Spaces should include private exam area, telephone, water, thermostat, and a secure room for your equipment.
· Arrange for a medical vehicle for patient transport.
· Brief your squadron on the pertinent health threats and issues specific to your tour (e.g., Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), local foods, crime areas, symptoms requiring medical attention, etc.).
· Ensure that the personal affairs and effects of you and your subordinate personnel are in order. This includes preparing a will and power of attorney for yourself and your spouse before you go.
(3) Prepare Your Command
(a) Review what medical equipment, supplies, and personnel resources are available for your mission.
(b) Order AMMAL) supplies and medications 4-6 months in advance. Bring plenty of sunscreen, insect repellent, condoms, etc., for your members. Customize your AMMAL and emergency medical kits to fit your anticipated needs (e.g., ACLS medications, STD antibiotics, anti-malarials, gamma globulin, etc.). Review all medications to ensure none will expire before the end of deployment.
(c) Update immunizations (e.g. hepatitis A, anthrax) and records (i.e. Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)) for those deploying. Draw HIV on all personnel.
(d) Review blood types of personnel and update medical records (G6PD, sickle cell status, etc.).
(e) Complete annual physicals for at least 1 month ahead of deployment date, and assure all dental records are up to date.
(f) Evaluate all current medical cases that might not be fit for deployment. Carefully screen everyone and do not take someone that you cannot support medically.
(g) Consider using a footlocker for transporting medical records, forms, and chits. Bring plenty of copies of all medically related forms needed (aeromedical clearance notices, mishap investigation report forms, toxicology forms, etc.).
(h) Schedule optometry exams and have all aviators with glasses bring two extra pair.
(i) Ensure all essential personnel are Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certified.
(j) Review disaster and mishap plans and coordinate responsibilities with essential personnel.
(k) Educate your command by providing medical intel, safety and preventive medicine briefs.
(4) Personal items to bring on deployment
(a) Briefing and training instructional material (example: environmental threats, terrorist precautions, local food, animal, pest, and water health concerns, etc.). If you have worldwide web capability, you can locate excellent training and educational material, including Powerpoint presentations, at the following websites:
§ http://www.aerospacemed.org
§ http://www.nomi.navy.mil
§ http://www.vnh.org
(b) Lap top computer.
(c) Personal medical equipment (stethoscope, otoscope, etc.).
(d) Camera, hobby stuff, etc.
(e) The following references are recommended:
(1) Books:
§ Pocket Reference to Aircraft Mishap Investigation.
§ Aeromedical Reference and Waiver Guide.
§ Copy of OPNAVINST 3710.7Q.
§ Naval Air Training and Operating Procedures Standardization (NATOPS) General Flight and Operating Instructions.
§ The Flight Surgeon's Manual, (Distributed to flight surgeons at Naval Aerospace Medical Institute (NAMI).
§ The Sanford Guide to Antimicrobial therapy.
§ Merck Manual, emergency orthopedics text, Lange’s Ophthalmology, Habif dermatology text.
(2) Other suggested references and sources include:
§ Health Information for International Travel, CDC, Atlanta, Georgia
§ Guidelines for the Treatment of Sexually Transmitted Diseases 1998: CDC
§ Armed Forces Medical Intelligence Center (AFMIC), Ft. Detrick, Maryland
§ Disease Risk Assessment Profile (DISRAP)
§ NEPMU 2 Norfolk, VA (757) 444-7671/DSN 564-7671
§ NEPMU 5 San Diego Ca (619) 556-7070/DSN 526-7070;
§ NEPMU 6 Pearl Harbor Hi (808) 471-9505/DSN471-9505
§ NEPMU 7 Sigonella, It 011-39-95-564-4099/DSN 624-4099
§ Vector Risk Assessment Profile (VECTRAP)
§ Navy Disease Vector Ecology and Control Center, Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville, Florida
(f) Mishap kit (updated).
(g) A credit card and long distance calling card.
(h) Ensure all home and personal affairs are taken care of before you leave. (Example: power of attorney, banking, State and Federal tax records, deeds or mortgages, insurance policies, etc. See your Family Service Center Deployment Guide.) You will be of no help to anyone if you spend your entire deployment worrying about home issues.
Summary
The overall success of your mission and deployment is dependent upon planning and preparation.
Revised by Charles O. Barker, MC, USN, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, MED-23, Washington, D.C. (1999).