Aerospace Medicine -Specialists- Relevant and Ready to Army Space Operations
Abstract
Recently, the Army Space Cadre Mobile Training Team from U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command s Future Warfare Center Directorate of Combat Development (FWC DCD) traveled to Pensacola, Fla., to train Army and Navy residents in aerospace medicine the fundamentals of Army Space Operations. The FWC DCD Trainers conducted the 40-hour Army Space Cadre Basic Course. The intent was not to give an orientation to Space capabilities for medical applications, but to indoctrinate highly trained and motivated medical professionals into the military Space culture. Building on this foundation, they could apply medicine within that cultural framework. Unlike traditional clinical medicine, which focuses on the care and treatment of patients with disease and injury, aerospace medicine is occupationally focused and preventive in application. Health maintenance with minimal therapeutic intervention becomes the sine qua non. In the context of air and space, it is concerned with normal (i.e. healthy) physiology in an abnormal environment. Since the early days of powered aeronautics, the flight surgeon was involved with assessing human factors in the military application of aircraft. While demonstrating the capabilities of the Wright Flying Machine, Lieutenant Thomas Selfridge crashed and suffered massive and fatal head trauma. The flight surgeon, on the accident investigation board, recommended that head protection be developed and worn by all aviators. Later, high aircraft accident rates due to pre-existing medical conditions dictated medical standards. Rapidly expanding technology increased the speed, altitude, performance, and complexity of the aircraft. Research into human protection and performance ensued. Flight surgeons were undeniably integral to the aviation culture.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2010
- Accession Number
- ADA559473
Entities
People
- John P. Albano