Endurance management: Maximizing the Air Force's most vital asset

Mobility Forum, Jul/Aug 2003 by O'Brien, David, Rock, T M

Other techniques for enhancing sleep include winding down for 10-30 minutes prior to bedtime, by reading, listening to quiet music or other calming activities. Bedtime is not the time to dwell on the problems of the day, but rather to put them aside until refreshed in the morning. For those traveling across international timelines, getting to sleep can be frustrating as your body starts to wake up according to its internal body clock based on home station (AKA circadian rhythm). Quality billeting quarters, nutritious meals, avoiding alcohol, and moderate exercise can all contribute to better sleep.

For AMC aircrew experiencing jet lag or changing their circadian rhythm, the occasional use of flight surgeon prescribed "No-Go" pills may also be helpful. No-Go pills have been used by USAF aviators for over three decades to help folks sleep during the day, typically when transitioning to night operations or rapidly adapting to a new time zone. Unlike alcohol, which interferes with normal sleep patterns, No-Go pills help initiate normal sleep cycles. AMC recently approved the use of No-Go pills for mobility aircrew when certain operational conditions exist: 1) Home station night launch missions greater than 4 hours duration; 2) Off-station missions that are 4 or more time zones from home station; 3) Rotating schedules (stair-stepped flying schedules) with greater than 6-hour flight time duration; and 4) Missions that run consistently near a 14-hour (or greater) duty day.

Flying unit commanders and flight surgeons work together to identify at-risk missions and approve the use of these medications. An example illustrates one appropriate use of No-Go pills: Your crew left the US east coast and has now arrived in Europe to offload cargo. It is now 1000 local, you have been awake for over 16 hours and are surrounded by jet noise and brilliant sunlight. Despite feeling tired and knowing your crew rest ends at 2200 local, your body is awake and cannot settle down enough to sleep. A No-Go pill and restful quarters can help your body get into a sleep cycle. Six hours later, your body has cleansed this medication out of your system and you start to wake up refreshed. The new generation of No-Go pills works quickly and does not typically cause sedation after awakening. Prior to operational use, aircrew must be ground-tested with these medications. Certain common sense precautions must be followed, such as refraining from drinking alcohol or operating machinery when using a No-Go pill. For more information on this new program, see your local flight surgeon. "Go" pills, which are stimulant medications, are limited by USAF policy to single seat, high-performance aircraft and are not used by mobility forces.

Combat naps are another tool to overcome acute fatigue. Combat naps consist of short naps lasting 20 to 60 minutes that allow your body a quick recharge. Napping for more than 60 minutes can result in grogginess on awakening. Some supervisors have stigmatized napping as a sign of laziness. However, when properly planned and timed, naps can bring short-term relief to accumulating fatigue, allowing increased attention and improved judgment. Some individuals must train their bodies to nap. With practice, individuals can determine the best nap length and interval, as well as eliminate any grogginess when they awake.