Fort Belvoir Research Articles

Two-inlet lagoon systems: Interaction between basins and effects on tidal prisms

In a lagoon basin, the tidal prism is related to the section of its inlet by a simple monomial relationship [L. J. LeConte, “Discussion on the paper, ‘notes on the improvement of river and harbor outlets in the United States,’ by D. A. Watt.” Trans. ASCE 55, 306–308 (1905); M. P. O'Brien, “Estuary tidal prism related to entrance areas,” Civil Eng. 1(8), 738–739 (1931); and J. T. Jarrett, Tidal Prism - Inlet Area Relationships (Coastal Engineering Research Center, US Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Belvoir, VA, 1976)]. Although it is not dimensionally correct and there are sophisticated models in two or three dimensions, this relationship is widely used because of its simplicity. Having a simple relationship can be very important, especially when it is necessary to make quick, albeit approximate, evaluations. To maintain this simplicity, the same monomial relationship is often used in multi-inlet lagoons, even if the initial assumptions are not fully met. Another difficulty in applying a monomial relationship to a multi-inlet lagoon is the definition of the area of each basin. In this paper, we propose a simple Eulerian, hydrodynamic, one-dimensional approach based on the dynamic response of a nonlinear harmonic system and a harmonic analysis of the interaction between two basins in a lagoon system. With such an approach, the definition of the basin surface is overcome simply by working on topographic control basins. The study leads to the definition of a relatively simple relationship for the estimation of tidal prisms, while maintaining the flexibility of a monomial relationship. If the geometrical characteristics and the bottom friction of the inlet channel, the topographic surface of the basins and the amplitude of the tide in the open sea are known, this relationship can be used to estimate the tidal prism in individual basins. The application of this relationship to two-dimensional numerical cases and real multi-inlet lagoons shows good agreement with experimental data.

Black Flag Collapse.

National Capital Consortium Sports Medicine Fellowship, Fort Belvoir, Virginia Address for correspondence: Hannah Hornsby, MD, Sports Medicine Department, Fort Belvoir Community Hospital, 9300 DeWitt Loop, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060; E-mail: [email protected].

The tidal prism as a dynamic response of a nonlinear harmonic system

As known, the empirical relationship between the equilibrium cross-sectional area of a lagoon inlet and the tidal prism was intuited for the first time by LeConte [“Discussion on the paper, “Notes on the improvement of river and harbor outlets in the United States” by D. A. Watt,” Trans. ASCE 55, 306–308 (1905).] and then formalized by O'Brien [“Estuary tidal prism related to entrance areas,” Civ. Eng. 1(8), 738–739 (1931)]. This relationship requires knowledge of the tidal prism, which can be estimated either using the cubature method or the current data method [Jarrett, Tidal Prism-Inlet Area Relationships (Coastal Engineering Research Center, US Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Belvoir, VA, 1976)], both of which involve the execution of a number of experimental measurements. However, these methods, besides being very expensive, can only provide the prism value in the present condition and do not allow for predictions in the case of significant morphological changes, of both natural and anthropic origin, to the tidal inlet. On the other hand, the hydrodynamic relationship, which links the tidal prism to the product of the tidal range and the basin extension, can only give a coarse estimate of the prism, especially when the value of the tide outside the lagoon is considered. In this work, we propose a simple hydrodynamic relationship based on the dynamic response of a nonlinear harmonic system. This is a relationship that requires the calibration of a single physically based parameter. Through this relationship, knowing the geometric characteristics, the bottom friction of the inlet channel, the surface of the basin, and the tide amplitude in the open sea, it is possible to estimate the tidal prism. The application of this relationship to real cases shows a good agreement with the experimental data.

0088 Remote clinical research operations during COVID-19: Lessons learned and recommendations

Abstract Introduction As a result of the global COVID-19 pandemic, there have been significant challenges conducting clinical sleep research. Participant recruitment has been a particular challenge due to federal safety guidelines and institutional directives. The purpose of this project is to describe the adaptation of an in-person study protocol (of sleep problems among military service members and their families) to an entirely remote approach. Methods Prior to COVID-19, planned research methods included in-person recruitment, enrollment, and study support; approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC), Fort Belvoir Community Hospital (FBCH), and the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB). As COVID-19 restrictions increased, the research team adapted to a fully remote approach (via phone/email) and developed a “research call center” to replace in-clinic recruitment/enrollment. Detailed operating procedures were standardized, including shipping study materials (wearable device) via FedEx. Following enrollment, participants completed multiple assessments, sleep diaries 2x/day over 10 days, and a post-monitoring satisfaction survey. Results Thirty-five participants between the ages of 18-75 years (M= 46 years, SD= 15.8) were successfully recruited from the Internal Medicine clinic and Sleep Disorders Center at WRNMMC. Following data collection, the research team debriefed and developed recommendations to execute a successful remote study protocol. Three key operational domains were identified: research team, remote procedures, and data management. Recommendations included 1) prioritizing consistent communication, mutual support, and personal wellbeing among the research team, 2) advancing recruitment by establishing and refining preferred recruitment pathways, and 3) providing critical attention to remote data management—allocating responsibilities to regulate the evolving changes of multiple data sources. In addition, partnering closely with IRB personnel was invaluable to refine procedures and maintain regulatory compliance. Conclusion Despite challenges associated with the on-going pandemic, researchers can conduct high-quality clinical research by transitioning to a fully remote study approach. These recommendations can help guide investigative teams to transition from in-person protocols to remote approaches, thus advancing the perpetuation of research activities through a pandemic. Support (If Any) This research was supported by an investigator-initiated research award from the Department of Defense (via the Medical Technology Enterprise Consortium) to the University of Maryland, Baltimore (PI: EMW).

SID: Powering the Display Industry for 60 Years

SID: Powering the Display Industry for 60 Years

Real World Impact of Remdesivir and Dexamethasone on Clinical Outcomes of Severe Coronavirus Disease 2019 in a Community Hospital.

Evidence has emerged showing potential benefit of Remdesivir and dexamethasone in severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) but results from large randomized control trials are conflicting. While initial data for dexamethasone indicated a mortality benefit, the impact of Remdesivir was best demonstrated in decreased time to recovery. Despite extensive disease burden throughout the world efficacy data of individual interventions is lacking in part due to extensive concurrent use of confounding investigational therapeutics. We performed a retrospective analysis of the impact of Remdesivir and dexamethasone on real-world outcomes in severe COVID-19. All patients admitted to our community hospital between March 2020 and December 31, 2020 were included, and all patients admitted before national guidelines endorsed Remdesivir and dexamethasone outside of clinical trials were treated with only supportive care and used as historical controls. No other investigational therapeutics were utilized. This study was reviewed and approved by the Fort Belvoir Community Hospital IRB. 58 hospitalized patients met criteria for severe COVID-19 as confirmed by RT-PCR, and 14 (25%) were used as historical controls. Baseline demographics and overall mortality rate (7.1%) did not significantly differ between the groups. The median length of stay was 7 days and 6 days in the historical control group and interventional group, respectively (P = 0.55). We did not observe an appreciable impact on the duration of hospitalization when Remdesivir and dexamethasone were added to supportive care in a community hospital. This study was not sufficiently powered to detect the previously described mortality benefit of dexamethasone.

Small-incision lenticule extraction in the U.S. military: prospective study of visual and military task performance.

To assess early visual outcomes and military task performance after small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) among U.S. military service members. Warfighter Refractive Eye Surgery Program and Research Center and Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate, Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Single-center, prospective, observational study. The study was composed of active duty service members (n = 37) electing to undergo SMILE for myopia or myopic astigmatism. Testing performed preoperatively and at 1 month and 3 months postoperatively included uncorrected (UDVA) and corrected (CDVA) distance visual acuities, wavefront aberrometry, low-contrast visual acuity (LCVA), contrast sensitivity, and vision-related questionnaire. 14 participants underwent rifle marksmanship with spectacle correction before and without correction at 6 to 8 weeks postoperatively. At 3 months postoperatively, the efficacy index was 0.96 and the safety index was 1.03. UDVA was ≥20/20 in 69 (96%) of eyes. LCVA change from baseline was significant under night vision condition. Eye problems contributed to 10% work and 20% activity impairments, both of which decreased to 0% (P = .001). The overall satisfaction rating for SMILE was high at 90.9 (95% CI, 85.3 to 96.5), and 95% of participants would be willing to undergo the procedure again. The median scores between preoperative and 6 to 8 weeks postoperative firing performance were comparable (34 vs 35, with and without correction, respectively; P = .247). After the early recovery period, SMILE seems to preserve quality of vision, which appears to facilitate the accomplishment of tasks related to their work as military service members as well as performing activities outside of work.

Treatment of inconclusives in the AFTE range of conclusions

Abstract In the past decade, and in response to the recommendations set forth by the National Research Council Committee on Identifying the Needs of the Forensic Sciences Community (2009), scientists have conducted several black-box studies that attempt to estimate the error rates of firearm examiners. Most of these studies have resulted in vanishingly small error rates, and at least one of them (D. P. Baldwin, S. J. Bajic, M. Morris, and D. Zamzow. A Study of False-Positive and False-Negative Error Rates in Cartridge Case Comparisons. Technical report, Ames Lab IA, Performing, Fort Belvoir, VA, April 2014.) was cited by the President’s Council of Advisors in Science and Technology (PCAST) during the Obama administration, as an example of a well-designed experiment. What has received little attention, however, is the actual calculation of error rates and in particular, the effect of inconclusive findings on those error estimates. The treatment of inconclusives in the assessment of errors has far-reaching implications in the legal system. Here, we revisit several black-box studies in the area of firearms examination, investigating their treatment of inconclusive results. It is clear that there are stark differences in the rate of inconclusive results in regions with different norms for training and reporting conclusions. More surprisingly, the rate of inconclusive decisions for materials from different sources is notably higher than the rate of inconclusive decisions for same-source materials in some regions. To mitigate the effects of this difference we propose a unifying approach to the calculation of error rates that is directly applicable in forensic laboratories and in legal settings.

40% Glucose Gel for the Treatment of Asymptomatic Neonatal Hypoglycemia.

The Mother Infant Care Center at Fort Belvoir Community Hospital (FBCH) recently revised its asymptotic neonatal hypoglycemia (ANH) protocol and adopted 40% glucose gel into its treatment pathway. The previous protocol used infant formula as the primary intervention. To evaluate the effectiveness of 40% glucose gel on exclusive human milk diet rates, time on protocol, level II Special Care Nursery (SCN) admission rates, length of stay (LOS), and total hospital costs for newborns with ANH at FBCH. Infants with ANH were treated with 40% glucose gel (n = 35) and compared with a historical group of infants with ANH (n = 29) who were treated with formula. Exclusive human milk diet rates increased by 33.6%. The mean time on protocol dropped by 1.13 hours. The SCN admission rates dropped by 2.4% in the postimplementation group. The mean LOS was more than 12 hours less in the postimplementation group. The mean total cost per patient was $1190.60 lower after implementation of 40% glucose gel. The use of 40% glucose gel is a patient-focused, less-invasive, and cost-effective treatment of ANH. More studies are needed to better define neonatal hypoglycemia. The use of 40% glucose gel is safe for use in infants with ANH; however, more studies are needed to examine its comprehensive benefits.

Dispatches From the COVID-19 Front Lines: Two Army Psychiatrists Deploy to Javits Center

Dispatches From the COVID-19 Front Lines: Two Army Psychiatrists Deploy to Javits Center

Visual outcomes after SMILE from the first-year experience at a U.S. military refractive surgery center and comparison with PRK and LASIK outcomes.

To assess the visual outcomes of small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) after the first year of treatments at a military refractive surgery center and compare with photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) outcomes during the same period. Warfighter Refractive Eye Surgery Program and Research Center, Fort Belvoir, VA. Retrospective study. Records of service members who underwent SMILE, PRK, or LASIK for myopia from March 2017 to February 2018 were reviewed. Preoperative and up to 6-month postoperative data were collected. Visual outcomes were compared between treatments. Of 563 treated eyes, 173 (30.7%) underwent SMILE, 304 (54.0%) PRK, and 86 (15.3%) LASIK. In comparing SMILE with PRK 1 month postoperatively, SMILE (145 eyes [87.9%]) attained uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) ≥20/20 more vs PRK (214 eyes [73.8%]; P < .01). Similarly, SMILE (152 eyes [94.4%]) achieved more eyes with manifest spherical equivalent (MSE) within ±0.50 diopters (D) from intended target vs PRK (250 eyes [85.9%]; P = .01). None lost ≥1 line of corrected distance visual acuity in SMILE vs PRK (16 eyes [5.5%]; P < .01). Thereafter, there were no other significant differences except SMILE had 117 eyes (95.1%) vs PRK with 224 eyes (99.6%) achieving UDVA ≥20/20 at 3 months postoperatively (P = .01). In assessing SMILE vs LASIK, all parameters were comparable; however, 77 SMILE eyes (96.3%) had MSE within ±0.50 D from target vs 31 LASIK eyes (83.8%) at 6 months postoperatively (P = .02). The first year after SMILE treatments in a U.S. military center demonstrated early postoperative outcomes superior to PRK. SMILE seemed more predictable compared with LASIK.

Art therapy for military service members with post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury: Three case reports highlighting trajectories of treatment and recovery

Advances in both military and medical technology have led to decreased mortality rates among military service personnel in the United States, yet have led to an increase in occurrences of traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder in military service personnel, often resulting in prolonged unresolved symptoms. The purpose of this article is to illustrate the implementation and effects of an art therapy program on military service personnel attending an outpatient military treatment facility. To this end, we present case reports of three military service personnel diagnosed with comorbid traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress and describe their participation in the art therapy program at Intrepid Spirit One, the National Intrepid Center of Excellence satellite site at Fort Belvoir Community Hospital. Through discussion of the therapist’s subjective observations, as well as the patients’ visual art productions and their personal verbal and written reflections on their experiences in art therapy and, eventually, on community art programs, this article highlights how art therapy was used to treat military trauma as part of a comprehensive integrative treatment program. The cases highlight how participation in a long-term, stage-based, structured art therapy program (through both group and individual sessions), enabled military service personnel to identify and articulate the complexity of their lingering trauma symptoms, fostering improvement in their communication with other treatment providers and loved ones, which, in turn, led to improvements in their overall quality of life.

Promoting resilience through social connection: an intern workshop.

Medical EducationVolume 52, Issue 5 p. 563-564 Really Good Stuff: Lessons learned through innovation in medical education Promoting resilience through social connection: an intern workshop Maxwell R Simard, Corresponding Author Maxwell R Simard maxwellsimard@gmail.com orcid.org/0000-0003-3910-5558 Correspondence: Maxwell R Simard, NCC Family Medicine Residency, Fort Belvoir Community Hospital, 9300 Dewitt Loop, Fort Belvoir, Virginia 22060-5285, USA. Tel: (571) 231 1803; E-mail: maxwellsimard@gmail.comSearch for more papers by this authorDominic J Kiley, Dominic J KileySearch for more papers by this authorSarah L Kinkennon, Sarah L KinkennonSearch for more papers by this authorWilliam E Bynum, William E Bynum orcid.org/0000-0003-3796-9301 Search for more papers by this author Maxwell R Simard, Corresponding Author Maxwell R Simard maxwellsimard@gmail.com orcid.org/0000-0003-3910-5558 Correspondence: Maxwell R Simard, NCC Family Medicine Residency, Fort Belvoir Community Hospital, 9300 Dewitt Loop, Fort Belvoir, Virginia 22060-5285, USA. Tel: (571) 231 1803; E-mail: maxwellsimard@gmail.comSearch for more papers by this authorDominic J Kiley, Dominic J KileySearch for more papers by this authorSarah L Kinkennon, Sarah L KinkennonSearch for more papers by this authorWilliam E Bynum, William E Bynum orcid.org/0000-0003-3796-9301 Search for more papers by this author First published: 24 March 2018 https://doi.org/10.1111/medu.13536 Disclaimer: the views expressed in this article are the responsibility of the authors alone and do not necessarily represent the policies of the US Air Force, US Army, US Navy, Department of Defense or the United States and its agencies. Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume52, Issue5May 2018Pages 563-564 RelatedInformation

Visual Diagnosis: A Rapidly Progressive Soft Tissue Shoulder Mass in a 3-month-old Infant

1. James C. League-Pascual, MD, MS* 2. Kip R. Hartman, MD† 1. *Fort Belvoir Community Hospital, Fort Belvoir, VA 2. †Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD A 3-month-old healthy boy presents with parental concerns of a growing mass developing near his left shoulder. His mother reports no other unusual symptoms, such as fevers or increased fussiness. He is feeding well without difficulty and gaining weight appropriately for his age. On physical examination the mass is palpable, firm, and mobile, without any signs of erythema or induration; the patient nevertheless has decreased left hand grip strength and an abnormally positioned left upper extremity at rest. Laboratory evaluation results, including a complete blood cell count, a complete metabolic panel, and inflammatory markers, are normal. Radiography (Fig 1) and ultrasonography (Fig 2) are performed. Findings on initial examination are concerning for potential malignancy, so additional imaging is obtained to better define the mass. A magnetic resonance image (MRI) reveals a 4.6 × 4.2 × 5.1-cm, solid, peripherally enhancing, encapsulated mass with low vascularity in the left axilla (Fig 3). A positron emission tomographic/computed tomographic scan (PET/CT) shows enhancement localized only to the primary mass with a maximum standardized uptake value (SUV) of 4.7 (Fig 4). In PET/CT, SUVs are a quantitative measure of radioactivity level in a mass; responses to therapeutic interventions can also be measured in the same manner. The pediatric surgery service is consulted, but due to …

Recording and viewing stereoscopic ophthalmic surgical videos with smartphones

ObjectiveTo determine whether stereoscopic footage of cataract surgery could be captured with smartphones and to develop a procedure for editing and viewing the footage. The authors sought to measure whether subjectively convincing stereo footage could be captured with smartphones, whether it would be possible to sync this footage for stereoscopic viewing, and whether these tasks could easily be performed at lower cost than commercially available options. DesignBrief research report. ParticipantsThe entities studied were phones and programs. MethodsSurgeries were recorded at Fort Belvoir Community Hospital. Two smartphones were attached to the eyepieces of a surgical microscope’s assistant scope. Surgical footage was recorded. Videos from the left and right eyepieces were edited and combined into videos that facilitated stereoscopic viewing. ResultsStereo footage was captured with 2 smartphones and edited to enable 3D viewing with both anaglyph glasses and head-mounted displays. Viewing experience was superior when using head-mounted displays compared to using anaglyph glasses. ConclusionsStereoscopic footage of operations performed under the surgical microscope may be captured and viewed using inexpensive equipment and simple procedures requiring minimal prior expertise. The techniques described in this paper may enable more training programs to capture and distribute 3D footage of their operations, enhancing the educational value of ophthalmic surgical videos.

Report of the 2017 Arthroscopy Association of North America Traveling Fellowship—A Fellowship Odyssey

It was an honor to be selected to participate in the 2017 Arthroscopy Association of North America Advanced Arthroscopy Traveling Fellowship. This year's group included Michael J. Alaia, M.D., Assistant Professor and Associate Sports Medicine Fellowship Director at NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases; Nathan K. Endres, M.D., Associate Professor at the University of Vermont; LCDR Patrick W. Joyner, M.D., Assistant Professor at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, and Head Physician East Coast Navy Seals; and LTC Christopher J. Tucker, M.D., Assistant Professor at the Uniformed Services University and Chief of Sports Service at Fort Belvoir Community Hospital. This year, we were honored to have a true pioneer in sports medicine and arthroscopic surgery, Dr. Jack M. Bert, Past President of Arthroscopy Association of North America and Adjunct Clinical Professor at the University of Minnesota, serve as our Godfather.

Practice comparisons between accelerated resolution therapy, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing and cognitive processing therapy with case examples

Recent outcomes for Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and Prolonged Exposure (PE) therapy indicate that as many as 60–72% of patients retain their PTSD diagnosis after treatment with CPT or PE. One emerging therapy with the potential to augment existing trauma focused therapies is Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART). ART is currently being used along with evidence based approaches at Fort Belvoir Community Hospital and by report has been both positive for clients as well as less taxing on professionals trained in ART. The following is an in-practice theoretical comparison of CPT, EMDR and ART with case examples from Fort Belvoir Community Hospital. While all three approaches share common elements and interventions, ART distinguishes itself through emphasis on the rescripting of traumatic events and the brevity of the intervention. While these case reports are not part of a formal study, they suggest that ART has the potential to augment and enhance the current delivery methods of mental health care in military environments.

Stress and Absenteeism in Civilian Employees Supervised by Army Sergeants: Empirical Evidence from Fort Belvoir, Virginia

Past literature suggests that leadership style impacts employee attitudes and job performance in organizations. Given the broad scope of military operations, there are many situations in military where military managers supervise civilian employees. Our empirical study explores the effects of Army sergeant supervision of civilian employees at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Eight themes in Army sergeants’ perceptions as supervisor of federal civilian employees were studied in-depth: (a) task, (b) education training, (c) family, (d) rules & regulations, (e) open communications, (f) last minute task, (g) direct leadership, and (h) experience. Our findings show that mismatch between leader perceptions and employee expectations lead to stress and absenteeism. Implications for future research and suggestions to reduce stress and absenteeism are discussed.

Wavefront-guided versus wavefront-optimized photorefractive keratectomy: Clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction

To compare visual outcomes following Visx Star S4 Customvue wavefront-guided and Allegretto Wave Eye-Q 400 Hz wavefront-optimized photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). Warfighter Refractive Eye Surgery Program and Research Center, Fort Belvoir, Virginia, and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland, USA. Prospective randomized clinical trial. Active-duty United States military soldiers were randomized to have wavefront-guided (Visx Star S4 Customvue) or wavefront-optimized PRK. Participants were followed up to 12 months postoperatively. Primary outcome measures were uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), and manifest spherical equivalent (SE). Secondary outcome measures included refractive astigmatism, higher-order aberrations (HOAs), contrast sensitivity, subjective visual complaints, and patient satisfaction. The study evaluated 108 soldiers (mean age 30.3 years ± 6.3 [SD]; mean manifest SE -3.51 ± 1.63 D). At 12 months postoperatively, achieved UDVA, CDVA, manifest SE, and refractive astigmatism were comparable between wavefront-guided and wavefront-optimized groups (P > .213). Spherical aberration and total HOAs significantly increased from baseline in both groups (P < .006). The change in coma, trefoil, spherical aberration, and total HOAs (P > .254) were comparable between groups. There were fewer losses of photopic low-contrast visual acuity (LCVA) at 5% contrast after wavefront-guided compared to wavefront-optimized treatment (P = .003). There was no significant difference between treatment groups in visual symptoms, overall vision expectation, and satisfaction (P > .075). Wavefront-guided treatment offered a small advantage in photopic LCVA. Refractive outcomes, HOAs, self-reported visual difficulties, overall vision expectation, and satisfaction were otherwise comparable between wavefront-guided and wavefront-optimized treatments. No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

Characterizing the pre-Space Age ionosphere over Washington, DC

The study of long-term changes requires researchers to identify relevant historical measurements; quantifying and quality controlling these measurements becomes central to their utilization by broader communities. This pilot study reports on the evaluation of ionograms and their inversion from the decade prior to the Space Age. The ionograms were recorded on 35 mm film reels and archived at the National Geophysical Data Center World Data Center A in Boulder, Colorado. For this study, ionogram film from one of the earliest operational sites in North America, Fort Belvoir (near Washington, DC), is analyzed. This analysis generates two distinct products: a digital ionogram with virtual height and frequency coordinate registration, and scaled values including an electron density profile. Validation of the ionogram registration and its resolution are described. The scaling and inversion processing, including uncertainties for the parameters and quality assessment, are explained. This study demonstrates how the archived film ionograms can have extensive value as historic measurements of the ionosphere once they are digitized and coordinate registered. Furthermore, modern analysis of the ionograms shows that a complete bottomside ionospheric specification may be obtained at better time resolution than is typically available from original scaled data. This research has set the stage for an effective recovery of ionospheric information for almost a full solar cycle prior to International Geophysical Year. In addition, between Fort Belvoir and Wallops Island archives, an East Coast midlatitude ionospheric data set can be generated from the late 1940s through the present.