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support capabilities These included, but were not limited to, 
commercial telephone lines, secure and nonsecure trunk/switch 
telephone systems (some of which had STU III capabilities), tactical 
telephone systems (including secure; Ky-68 capability), field 
telephones, land mobile radios (LMRs) and the AE HF ~ communications 
network. None of these systems proved consistently reliable, due 
either to saturation or inherent equipment difficulties/limitations. 
Autovon capability, common in a peace time environment, was not 
accessible at most AE operating locations. This limited the means by 
which both intra and/or intertheater communications could be 
effected. Differences in equipment used by Army, Air Force, Navy, and 
Marine host units created obstacles to effective communications 
between AE elements. For example, the Marines used extensive 
trunk/switch systems, the Army used tactical telephone systems, and 
the Navy used predominantly commercial lines. Even with inherently 
fluctuating HF capability, radio communications remained the only 
reliable system which spanned CENTCOM and EUCOM AORs with any 
consistency. 
 
c. Integration of Aeromedical Crews. During the early prehostility 
phase, the AECC directed that strategic and tactical crews be 
integrated on both C-141 and C-130 missions. This afforded all AE 
crewmembers an opportunity to receive orientation and training in an 
aircraft other than the one they normally flew, thus providing the 
TAES with added flexibility should it become necessary to mix crews 
during contingency operations. At the onset of the ground campaign, 
crewmembers were assigned to their primary aircraft whenever possible 
to provide the highest level of patient care. However, an exception 
to that policy was granted for strategic missions, since projections 
indicated that there were not sufficient C-141-qualified AECMs in the 
AOR to cover all strategic AE requirements. C-130-qualified AECMs 
were used to augment the strategic missions when necessary. Such 
missions were always flown with C-141-qualified AECMs in the MCD and 
charge aeromedical technician positions, as required. The orientation 
and training that the C-130 AECMs received proved to be very 
beneficial during augmented strategic missions. 
 
d. Collocation of AECMs and MASFs. As additional AE assets entered 
the AOR, tactical AECMs were attached to forward MASFs. Placement of 
the aircrews with the staging facilities was intended to enhance the 
systems ability to move patients via opportune retrograde aircraft, 
as well as to provide personnel augmentation for the MASF staff if 
the situation warranted such action. To reduce confusion and 
facilitate communication, the AECC provided the following directives 
to MASFs not collocated with an AECE: 
 
. (1) The MASF OIC had on-site operational control of both MASF 
personnel and attached aircrews. The aircrew OIC reported directly to 
the MASF OIC, regardless of grade. 
 
(2) Aircrew personnel were expected to assist the MASF with 
deployment, site configuration, operational, and redeployment 
activities. 
 
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