Army News

Camp Zama entomologist aims to educate about insects, other creatures
August 4, 2020 — Whether it’s cicadas, mosquitos or hundreds of fungus gnat larvae slithering across a walkway together, living at Camp Zama can bring up a lot of questions about insects. Capt. John Eads, chief medical entomologist for Public Health Command – Pacific, wants to answer those questions... MORE

Capt. John Eads, chief medical entomologist for Public Health Command-Pacific, holds a Japanese rhinoceros beetle named Petri at the command’s headquarters at Camp Zama, Japan, July 10, 2020.

Air Force, Army work together to save life
June 16, 2020 — Despite the challenges COVID-19 has caused across the globe, U.S. military members from the Republic of Korea and Japan came together to ensure a valued team member received the life-saving surgery he required... MORE

Military working dog Quinto pants happily two days after surgery April 20, 2020, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Quinto and his MWD trainer, U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Akeem Smith came to KAB from Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, for the urgent surgery. Back in April, following a routine dental exam and cleaning under anesthesia, MWD Quinto’s veterinarian was informed that Quinto started vomiting, was lethargic, and had a poor appetite in the days following the procedure. The veterinarian brought him back in and found a large mass attached at the neck of the urinary bladder (where the bladder transitions into the urethra). He was sent to Okinawa for surgery shortly after the diagnosis. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Sutton)

Despite COVID-19 setbacks, Veterinary Corps interns create training legacy
June 10, 2020 — Close your eyes and imagine you are a military working dog handler on patrol with your team during a deployment. Suddenly, you and your canine come under small arms fire. Your teammates are able to neutralize the threat, but you notice your canine has sustained injuries. Moving quickly, you are able to get your dog to a medical team, but there isn’t a veterinarian on the team. What will happen to your military working dog?... MORE

Capt. Galina Pate, a U.S. Army Veterinary Corps First-Year Graduate Veterinary Education program intern with Public Health Activity-Fort Lewis, presents a capstone project to members of Public Health Command-Pacific May, 14, 2020, from her home in Washington. For the last year Petersen and three other FYGVE interns from PHA-FL developed a comprehensive capstone project as part of their yearlong internship. Their project focused on the One Health concept, and how human health care providers can help save the lives of military working dogs downrange. (Courtesy image)

Beale Veterinary Treatment Facility employees help keep local family safe
May 18, 2020 — For Virginia Prieto, a veterinary technician at the Beale Veterinary Treatment Facility, enjoying a quiet day off of work scrolling through social media was nothing out of the ordinary — that was, until she saw a post that caught her attention. On April 24, Prieto noticed a post in a local community group by a woman looking to purchase goat’s milk to help rehabilitate a baby bat that one of her dogs had recently found in her yard... MORE

Dr. Heather Graves and Virginia Prieto, both employees at the Beale Veterinary Treatment Facility, stand together in front of the facility, on Beale Air Force Base, California, May 15, 2020. Graves and Prieto helped save a local family from rabies after noticing a social media post about a native Mexican free-tailed bat that was found by one of the family’s dogs. Prieto responded to the post and Graves got Animal Control involved. Together they helped the family get medical assistance and prevented the spread of rabies to the family. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ramon A. Adelan)

PHC-P Soldier recognized as 2020 MEDCOM Exceptional SARC
May 12, 2020 — Maj. Ran Du, Public Health Command-Pacific’s sexual assault response coordinator, was recognized as the 2020 Medical Command Exceptional SARC on May 7. Nominated for his efforts leading the PHC-P Sexual Harassment Assault Response and Prevention program, Du will represent MEDCOM as the nominee for the 2020 Department of Army Exceptional SARC award... MORE

Maj. Ran Du, Public Health Command-Pacific's sexual assault response coordinator, was recognized as the 2020 Medical Command Exceptional SARC on May 7, 2020. For two years Du has worked as the PHC-P SARC. During that time, Du created an integrated and robust Sexual Harassment Assault Response and Prevention program across a geographically dispersed brigade. The SHARP program provided support to more than 500 personnel assigned to more than 50 installations spanning five different countries and five U.S. states and territories within the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Army photo by Amber Kurka)

PHA-Guam food safety Soldiers help keep sailors safe during COVID-19 pandemic
May 5, 2020 — For food safety Soldiers at Public Health Activity-Guam, keeping others safe is a top priority as Guam installations respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Utilizing a team-based approach to help in the fight against COVID-19, PHA-Guam took over all food safety responsibilities aboard Naval Base Guam to alleviate the workload of Navy preventive medicine personnel... MORE

U.S Army Spc. Regina Shillingburg, Public Health Activity-Guam veterinary food inspection specialist, conducts a food inspection of the meat department at Orote commissary, Naval Base Guam, April 2020. To help keep the military community safe from COVID-19 and foodborne illness, PHA-Guam Soldiers assist Navy preventive medicine by inspecting approximately 40 facilities on base, including the commissary, Navy Exchange food court, shoppettes, galleys, and restaurants. (Courtesy Photo)

Taking care of each other, one mask at a time
April 23, 2020 — Taking care of each other is nothing new for Public Health Activity-San Diego. For these Soldiers, the spirit of teamwork and family are foundational cornerstones in all they do, despite being geographically dispersed throughout California. Responsible for veterinary services and food safety inspections on military installations, PHA-SD Soldiers have to keep the mission going to keep others safe and healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic. This means that activity Soldiers and Family members need to stay healthy through use of personal protective equipment... MORE

Capt. Austin Leedy, officer in charge of Camp Pendleton Branch Veterinary Services, sews together a cloth face covering at the Camp Pendleton Branch Veterinary clinic, April 11, 2020. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and Secretary of Defense guidance on the use of cloth face coverings, Leedy came up with the idea to help Soldiers and Family members throughout Public Health Activity-San Diego slow the spread of COVID-19 by creating cloth face coverings. (Courtesy photo)

Keeping your pets safe this Easter
April 10, 2020 — It’s spring, and while most military communities are stuck indoors due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many people are still planning to celebrate the Easter holiday at home with immediate family members and pets. While Easter weekend can be a fun time for children, it can be a dangerous time for pets. Many pet owners are often unaware of the dangers that lurk this time of year... MORE

While Easter weekend can be a fun time for children, it can be a dangerous time for pets. Many pet owners are often unaware of the dangers that lurk this time of year. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), Easter weekend is one of the busiest times of year for the Animal Poison Control Center. This is the result of pets getting into hazardous holiday items such as chocolate, spring plants, Easter grass, table food, and more. (Courtesy photo)

PHA–Hawaii hosts joint NCO Induction Ceremony
March 17, 2020 — Public Healthy Activity – Hawaii held their first ever NCO Induction Ceremony in conjunction with Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion U.S. Army Pacific, March 13, in the Richardson Theater on Fort Shafter, Hawaii. Four Soldiers from PHA-Hawaii accepted their new duties and responsibilities with honor as each one walked through an arch of crossed swords to officially become a member of the NCO Corps... MORE

Public Healthy Activity – Hawaii held their first ever NCO Induction Ceremony in conjunction with Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion U.S. Army Pacific, March 13, 2020, in the Richardson Theater on Fort Shafter, Hawaii. Historically, the NCO Induction Ceremony celebrates newly promoted Soldiers joining the ranks of the professional NCO Corps, while also building upon the pride all members share. (Courtesy photo)

PHC-P Soldiers compete in Best Warrior Competition
March 4, 2020 — The 2020 Public Health Command–Pacific Best Warrior Competition is in full swing! Representing five different PHC-P Activities, three Soldiers and six NCOs are competing this week at Tripler Army Medical Center and Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, to see who will take home Soldier and NCO of the Year bragging rights at the brigade level... MORE

Soldiers form Public Health Command – Pacific and Dental Health Command – Pacific begin the run portion of the Army Combat Fitness Test at Tripler Army Medical Center, Hawaii, March 2, 2019. The fitness assessment is part of a weeklong Best Warrior Competition that both units are holding. The PHC-P winners will be announced Friday during an award ceremony. (U.S. Army photo by Amber Kurka)