AFI44-162 governs the utilization, organization, and training of International Health Specialists for Stability Operations and Global Health Engagement.
View AFI44-162 on armypubs.army.mil
AFI44-162 covers Global Health Engagement objectives, the value and organization of the Air Force International Health Specialist Program, and core competencies. It requires coordination among Air Force medical organizations and assigns International Health Specialist teams or liaisons to specified commands and agencies.
Applies to: This instruction applies to all Air Force personnel, including Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve personnel.
GHE activities establish, reconstitute, maintain, or improve the capabilities or capacities of the partner nation’s military, civilian health sector, or partner nation ministry or agency in order to achieve USG national security objectives and DoD security cooperation objectives.
IHS professionals enhance interoperability with partner nations, strengthen international relationships, respond to civilian emergencies when authorized and funded, and play a vital role in combat or stability operations throughout the world.
The IHS program provides the primary mechanism within the AFMS for providing health security cooperation expert, which contribute to the Air Force Security Cooperation Flight Plan’s key themes of strengthening alliances, attracting new partners, and promoting interoperability.
AFMS expeditionary missions call for IHS teams or liaisons to be assigned to C-NAFs, C-MAJCOMs, combatant commands (CCMD), Joint Headquarters, Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force for International Affairs, Uniformed Services University (USU), National Guard Bureau Joint Surgeon’s Office, Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), Department of State (DoS), United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and USG agencies critical to DoD GHE.
IHS professionals interact with a wide-range of organizations such as the United Nations and its subordinate organizations, other international organizations, alliance and coalition forces and their respective governments, non-government organizations, and private voluntary organizations.