Mobilization

File: aaabf_08.txt
Page: 08
Total Pages: 51

technicians felt inadequate in performing the necessary environmental assessments.

EMPLOYMENT

The early deploying units found heavy pstient loads -- up to 80 patients a day at King Fahd. This
demand typically decreased and leveled after the first month or two. Reported patient visit workload is
contained in Appendix A. The perception was that even after the ATM's arrived, ATC's saw 2 to 3 times more
sick call patients because of better accessibility. Traveler�s diarrhea was common but self limited. Diarrhea�s
refractory to conservative therapy usually responded to Cipro. Heat stress visits were minimal in units with
good predeployment briefs. Several SME's treated significant numbers of heat casualties from other units such
as security police or collocated Army units.
Some units deployed with inadequate amounts of personal hygiene supplies.
MRE's were the only source of food at some locations while others had host nation food services in
place. Line commanders were reluctant to close down marginal host nation food services because of the
adverse impact on morale. A combination of reluctance to be inspected on the part of the Saudi's, inability to
enforce recommendations, low level of experience in food inspection among the SME's, and early demands
for clinical vs. preventive medical services resulted in several food-borne outbreaks of gastroenteritis. In all,
16 separate outbreaks at 10 different locations were identified involving 2,500 cases. Of these, 4 occurred in
the month of August at 4 separate locations. Appendix B contains a summary Of these outbreaks contracted
from information presented by Col. Butts to the After Action Conference. The SME's concurred with the
Environmental Health after-action assessment that an organic food service could have prevented nearly all of
these outbreaks. Additionally, SME's wanted more environmental/sanitation experience in the SME package.
First preference was to substitute an IDMT for a 901X0, second to substitute a military public health
technician, third to leave the SME as is and construct an environmental UTC with 907X0, 908X0, and a
suitable equipment package that may be deployed on request.
One location reported that collocated Canadian forces had a "model installation". Three hot meals a
day were provided by their own food service. Their medical staff was twice that of the SME and supported
fewer personnel. Their supply pipeline was responsive within 48 hours. Their mobile decontamination system
was simpler and more flexible than the American equivalent.
Many flight surgeons, especially the fighter SME's, had difficulty meeting flying hour requirements.
All currency requirements in AFR 60-1 were eventually waived by HQ USAF/SGPA, but the requirement for
4 hours per month to qualify for flight pay is set by Congress. CENTAF(rear)/SGPA coordinated with HQ
MAC/SGPA to allow all flight surgeons in theater to log time on MAC aircraft. CENTAF/CC also authorized
the combat-related time extension specified in DOD regulation". Physiologic training and night physical
currency was also waived by HQ USAF/SOPA.
At some locations, medical intelligence became more difficult to get with time. '
A few SME's relocated within theater. One relocated three times. This underscored the need for the
logistics and command and control aspects of the
ATC's to remain substantially independent of the ATH.
8 -