1/12 Marines struggle with hornets, termites in Afghanistan

An oriental hornet lies at the base of its nest after being sprayed with insecticide aboard Forward Operating Base Zeebrugge, Afghanistan, on Sept. 24. (Photo by Sgt. Justin J. Shemanski)

So, how’s your day going? Struggling with an infestation of gremlins in your life?

Echo Battery, 1st Battalion, 12th Marines, is. The artillery unit has been based at Forward Operating Base Zeebrugge in Afghanistan since May, providing protection to the Kajaki Dam, a major hydroelectric facility in northern Helmand province.

One of Zeebrugge’s more unpleasant quirks is its pests, which include oriental hornets and subterranean termites, according to a new Marine Corps news release. Insect problems are nothing new on deployment, but this one was apparently serious enough to merit attention from sailors serving in preventative medicine with II Marine Headquarters Group.

Some quick Google-fu led me to this Army fact sheet, which states the hornets can grow to nearly 1.5 inches.

“Oriental hornets can be a public health concern, since these large, aggressive insects are capable of inflicting multiple, painful bites and stings,” the fact sheet says. “These insects will establish colonies and forage for food and water in areas frequented by humans.”

Sounds swell. The hornets haven’t yet been introduced to the U.S., but are considered a risk to public health and agriculture, prompting inspections of military equipment, vehicles and aircraft for them, the fact sheet adds.