DVIDS – Information – Gator Daybreak’s first-ever area change highlights partnerships between Navy and African militaries

The Navy Entomology Heart of Excellence (NECE) efficiently launched its first ever Gator Daybreak: a preventive drugs area change with the participation of the armed forces of Ghana, Nigeria and Kenya. The occasion came about at NECE’s essential services on Naval Air Station Jacksonville (NASJAX), Florida, and at NECE’s area services at Camp Blanding Joint Coaching Heart (CBJTC) in Starke, Florida, from 28 August to September 1, 2023.

Hosted by NECE’s World Well being Operations Division, this five-day occasion will increase skilled navy help practices, strengthens enduring multinational relationships, and strengthens interoperability in austere, multi-domain settings.

The occasion started with opening remarks from Cmdr. Andrea H. Cameron, professor on the U.S. Naval Struggle School, Newport, Rhode Island, and Cmdr. Julie M. Schaub, well being safety cooperation supervisor on the U.S. Naval Southern Command/U.S. Fourth Fleet (USNAVSOUTH/FOURTHFLT) Workplace of Surgical procedure, highlighting the significance of local weather change and world partnerships, respectively .

“At NECE we do not discuss drive interoperability, we respect its basic rules on the bottom: communication, cooperation and the core drive well being expertise that carry us all collectively,” stated Cmdr Ian Sutherland, officer in command of the NECE. “Gator Daybreak is the proper alternative to construct tomorrow’s success by working instantly with our navy companions at this time. We’re grateful to construct groups with Kenya, Ghana and Nigeria.”

Companions labored in NECE’s laboratories and area services and had the chance to work together with workers from every division. Subsequent, groups from every nation introduced their respective preventative drugs packages, reinforcing a productive dialogue on the challenges in all areas going through warfighter readiness.

“Gator Daybreak gives a platform for medical representatives to collaboratively reply to present world drive well being dangers, notably as local weather change turns into a rising concern,” stated Lt. JG John So, chief of NECE World Well being Operations Division.

The occasion coated a number of subjects, from alphaviruses to Zika, to dangerous vectors and the unfold of pathogens corresponding to mosquitoes and ticks. Moreover, hands-on demonstrations and area experiments on NASJAX nature trails and at NECE’s CBJTC area station strengthened the coaching supplies.
“Gator Daybreak was a pivotal occasion that enriched our understanding of preventive drugs and illness vector management methods,” stated Colonel Christopher Ekuttan of the Kenyan Military. “The data gained throughout this change will result in tangible enhancements in preventative drugs and drive well being safety efforts, benefiting navy and civilian populations around the globe.” »

NECE plans to execute its second iteration of Gator Daybreak in spring 2024, with associate militaries from U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) and U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) taking part.

NECE is the Navy and Marine Corps Heart of Excellence for Operational Entomology positioned at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida. NECE’s DoD distinctive mission is to develop and consider new merchandise, pesticides and applied sciences to raised shield deployed forces in opposition to illness vectors. NECE additionally gives operational coaching in medical entomology and pest management to DOD navy and civilian personnel and is this system supervisor for all pest management aboard Navy ships. NECE performs a key function in supporting nationwide strategic pursuits by way of engagement and change with overseas well being and navy companions.

https://www.med.navy.mil/Navy-and-Marine-Corps-Pressure-Well being-Safety-Command/Subject-Actions/Navy-Entomology-Heart-of-Excellence/