Base provides aerial spraying of mosquitoes Published July 19, 2007 By 070720 GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Officials here are working with the 757th Airlift Squadron from Youngstown Air Reserve Station, Ohio, for another aerial mosquito control spray mission. The spray team, which uses a C-130 Hercules aircraft and a $6 million spray system, is scheduled to start spraying the base and a buffer zone that includes the city of Emerado. The purpose of the spraying mission is to lower the number of irritations and infections associated with mosquito bites, as well as minimize the threat of West Nile Virus. Spraying will commence at about 8 to 8:30 p.m. July 23 and will conclude at sunset. In the event of inclement weather or high winds, spraying will keep being postponed until July 26 at which time the mission would then be rescheduled for another time. Additionally, the aerial spray mission may be cancelled if mosquito counts, conducted by the 319th Medical Group here, do not warrant aerial application. It is recommended for base occupants to remain indoors during the aerial spraying, as well during on-going ground spraying. As a reminder, ground spraying on base will not be conducted during the aerial spraying, but will begin at about 9 p.m. July 30, continuing the Monday to Friday schedule. The ground spraying lasts a few hours, weather permitting. For more information, contact the public affairs office at 701-747-5023.