AEROSPACE OR AVIATION MEDICINE

As the United States and its international partners prepare Space Stat ion Freedom components and systems for operational readiness, and as t he space medicine community expands its research efforts, the U.S. Air Force finds itself with little direct input into these endeavors. Due to fiscal and patient care commitments, the Air Force has gone from i ts early position of leadership and pioneering in space medicine to it s present day lack of involvement. Clearly, H the Air Farce wishes to have any influence in this growing field, and to continue Po be consid ered a leader in ''Aerospace'' Medicine, efforts must be made now to r einvest Air Force resources and physicians into current research and o perational space Medicine projects,