CENTAF-FWD/DE DESERT SHIELD STATUS REPORT, AS OF 10 NOVEMBER 90

File: aaaum_29.txt
Page: 29
Total Pages: 30
         
                                      USCENTAF/DE
         
                                    CRITICAL ISSUE
         
         
         
         SUBJECT: FIRE PROTECTION COMMUNICATIONS
         
         OBSERVATION:  Fire protection personnel and equipment are dispatched
         to in-flight emergencies on runways and taxiways without adequate
         radio communications.   This degrades their effectiveness and is a
         significant safety risk.
         
         ACTION:  Worked with TAC/BS-DE to procure needed radios. CENTAF/SC
         has insisted on secure radios which has raised the cost substantially
         and lengthened the delivery time.  Radios have arrived and 53 have
         been distributed.  The remainder must be programmed to coincide
         with the host frequencies.  Unfortunately,  the cables and keyboard
         tools did not arrive with the radio shipment.  They will be on the
         next rotation aircraft.  Until we possess adequate communications, we
         will not respond to aircraft fires with munitions on board without
         positive confirmation that weapons are not involved.
         
         
         
                                                          AS OF 10 NOV 90
                                                          POC:     [(b)(2)]