Army News

PHC-P develops new Pre-Exercise Vector Surveillance program
February 26, 2021 — This spring, Public Health Command-Pacific’s Entomology and Environmental Molecular Biology Laboratory service lines will launch the first ever Pre-Exercise Vector Surveillance program for the Indo-Pacific region. The new initiative is a pilot program funded by the Global Emerging Infectious Surveillance program, also known as GEIS, a section of the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Branch. ... MORE

Staff Sgt. Matthew Pascual, noncommissioned officer in charge of entomology for Public Health Command-Pacific in Japan, collects mosquito specimens from a surveillance light trap to test for vector-borne pathogens of human concern on Camp Zama, Japan, Feb. 25, 2021. Collecting vector samples allows for PHC-P scientists to analyze areas of interest for potential vector-borne diseases that could impact the health of the force.

MCAS Miramar VTF overcomes adversity to get the mission done
February 17, 2021 — The staff at the MCAS Miramar Veterinary Treatment Facility are no strangers to overcoming adversity and finding creative solutions to keep the mission going. For the last three years the team has conquered one operational hurdle after another, such as juggling staffing shortages and COVID-19 operation restrictions, in order to continue to care for their furry patients. ... MORE

Spc. Jessica Bonner, a veterinary food inspection specialist, cares for a military working dog at the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Veterinary Treatment Facility, Calif., Oct. 2020. Bonner was trained in the role of an animal care specialist by the Miramar VTF staff to provide assistance during a manning shortage. Bonner’s ability to learn the animal care specialist’s core tasks allowed the VTF to remain operational to support the MWD mission, as well as support more than 7,000 privately-owned animals in the local military community. (Courtesy photo)

Iwakuni VTF wins Impact Award
January 28, 2021 — Congratulations to our team at the Iwakuni Veterinary Treatment Facility! They were awarded with the Iwakuni Impact Award, Jan. 7, by U.S. Marine Corps Col. Lance Lewis, commanding officer of Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, for the impact they made aboard the air station during the month of December... MORE

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Lance Lewis, center right, commanding officer of Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, hands an award to U.S. Army Capt. Austin Sorrels, center left, officer-in-charge of the Iwakuni Veterinary Treatment Facility (VTF) during a ceremony aboard MCAS Iwakuni, Jan. 7, 2021. The ceremony was held to present the VTF the Impact Iwakuni award for the impact they have made aboard the air station during the month of December. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Triton Lai)

SARS Team Six wins 4th Quarter and Fiscal Year 2020 Wolf Pack Awards
January 20, 2021 — SARS Team Six was formally recognized with the 4th Quarter and Fiscal Year 2020 Wolf Pack Awards for their support as the lead clinical testing team for COVID-19 for U.S. Forces Japan during a virtual ceremony Jan. 19... MORE

Lt. Col. Matthew Levine, commander of Public Health Activity-Japan, presented representatives of SARS Team Six, Maj. Bradley Kearney, a biochemist and former Public Health Command-Pacific Laboratory Sciences director, and Gary Crispell, a PHC-P microbiologist, the 4th Quarter and Fiscal Year 2020 Wolf Pack Awards for their support as the lead clinical testing team for COVID-19 for U.S. Forces Japan during a virtual ceremony Jan. 20, 2020, at Camp Zama, Japan. The Wolf Pack Award recognizes exceptional teamwork by an integrated group of military and civilian team members focused on excellence in support of Army Medicine. (Photo by Momoko Shindo)

What you should know about getting the COVID-19 vaccine
January 7, 2021 — Over the last several weeks, vaccines for COVID-19 have been rolled out to locations throughout the Indo-Pacific region. The vaccines are currently only approved for emergency use and are not mandatory for Department of Defense personnel and beneficiaries at this time. However, military health officials are urging prioritized DoD personnel and beneficiaries to get vaccinated to protect their health, their Families, and their community, and lower the public health risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. ... MORE

Lt. Col. Ronald Cole, Public Health Command-Pacific’s Human Health Services director and a public health nurse, receives the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine at Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu, on Dec. 23, 2020. The inoculation was part of the Department of Defense COVID-19 vaccine distribution and administration plan that is a phased, standardized and coordinated strategy for prioritizing, distributing, and administering COVID-19 vaccines to protect DoD personnel, maintain readiness, and support the national COVID-19 response. (U.S. Army photo by Amber E. Kurka)

PHC-P and PHA-H leadership and staff receives vaccine for COVID-19
December 23, 2020 — Public Health Command-Pacific and Public Health Activity-Hawaii leadership and staff received the Pfizer vaccine at Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu, Dec. 23... MORE

Col. Elba Villacorta, commander of Public Health Command-Pacific, and Sergeant Maj. Danny Hailey, sergeant major of PHC-P, stand in front of a poster after receiving the Pfizer vaccine at Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu, on Dec. 23, 2020. The inoculation was part of the Department of Defense COVID-19 vaccine distribution and administration plan that is a phased, standardized and coordinated strategy for prioritizing, distributing, and administering COVID-19 vaccines to protect DoD personnel, maintain readiness, and support the national COVID-19 response. (U.S. Army photo by Amber E. Kurka)

The impact of COVID-19 on the 2020 holiday season
December 18, 2020 — The holiday season is here. For most people, the last few weeks of the year are a time to reconnect with family and friends during Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and New Year’s Eve celebrations, among others. However, due to COVID-19, this year’s holiday season will look different for most people. ... MORE

The holiday season is here. For most people, the last few weeks of the year are a time to reconnect with family and friends during Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and New Year’s Eve celebrations, among others. However, due to COVID-19, this year’s holiday season will look different for most people. (U.S. Army Graphic by Amber Kurka)

PHC-P opens new COVID-19 Surveillance Testing Laboratory in Indo-Pacific
December 4, 2020 — Public Health Command-Pacific opened the first of four COVID-19 Surveillance Testing Laboratories in the Indo-Pacific this week. Located at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, the new surveillance laboratory will allow U.S. Army leaders to quickly assess the health of the force and increase mission readiness. ... MORE

Milagros Sola, a microbiologist with Pubic Health Command-Pacific, works with ribonucleic acid, or RNA, while demonstrating the command’s new COVID-19 pooled testing procedures to Brig. Gen. Jack M. Davis, commanding general of Regional Health Command-Pacific, at PHC-P’s new COVID-19 Surveillance Testing Laboratory, Dec. 3, 2020. (U.S. Army photo by Christopher Larsen, RHC-P Public Affairs)

Slowing the spread of COVID-19 in Hawaii military communities
November 20, 2020 — HONOLULU – Over the last few weeks, new COVID-19 cases throughout the United States have undergone a staggering increase. However, here in Hawaii, Department of Defense contact tracers stand ready to respond to potential COVID-19 surges within military communities... MORE

As part of a joint public health working group, DoD public health officials have been working to train service members and civilian employees on how to conduct contact tracing on Oahu to help slow the spread of the virus.

To help in the fight, Public Health Command-Pacific and Tripler Army Medical Center have been leading the way since the end of April to ensure Army units have trained Soldiers that are ready to respond as contact tracers in the event of a COVID-19 positive case or close contact within their unit. (U.S. Army graphic by Amber Kurka)

One Health Week: Pet safety during the holidays
November 5, 2020 — SAN DIEGO - During the holidays, it’s important to remember that our favorite treats and feasts may pose dangers to our furry family members. Preventing your animals from ingesting dangerous or inappropriate substances is imperative; prevention is always easier (and less dangerous) than treating! Here are some tips on preventing illness from the dinner table by avoiding certain menu items. ... MORE

During the holidays, it’s important to remember that our favorite treats and feasts may pose dangers to our furry family members. Preventing your animals from ingesting dangerous or inappropriate substances is imperative; prevention is always easier (and less dangerous) than treating! (U.S. Army graphic by Amber Kurka)