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clearing company. In addition, the DAOs were tasked with ensuring 
timely, comprehensive AE mission support. They achieved that goal by 
conducting regular meetings with personnel from each of the 
supporting elements and by serving as a liaison with the host 
community. However, the new concept caused some confusion end growing 
pains. Prior to implementing the DAO concept, each of the elements 
enjoyed autonomy from the others, answering directly to the AECC 
(with the exception of the ASF, which reported to the CENTAF/SG and 
the patient reception element, which reported through its own service 
chain). The new concept gave operational control to the DAO, and that 
took some getting used to on the part of the other elements. 
Additionally, confusion resulted as the AECC continued to maintain 
control over certain functions which, under the concept, had 
technically been decentralized to the AECEs. Primary examples were 
aircrew management and the flight clinical coordinator function. In 
spite of those growing pains, the concept generally worked very well. 
 
Recommendation. The Director of Aeromedical Operations concept should 
be further tested and allowed to evolve. In addition, ASFs should be 
permanently realigned under the AECC since they are aeromedical, not 
medical, assets. 
 
(5) Host Service Support. ; 
 
Observation. Due to the large number of AE personnel deployed, host 
service logistics personnel were illprepared and under-funded in 
their efforts to support AE requirements for food, fuel, billeting, 
supplies and maintenance. 
 
Discussion. Host logistics personnel were hesitant to support 
deployed AE elements to the extent required. Senior host-service 
logistics officers indicated willingness to provide any support 
needed if appropriate references and guidance could be provided to 
account for the extensive costs associated with supporting hundreds 
of AE personnel. When AE references were located, these joint service 
regulations did not adequately address definitions, scope of support, 
or funding methodologies needed by comptroller or logistics agencies 
to establish the needed support. Support offered by local host 
agencies was provided because "it was the right thing to do" rather 
than there being any directive which required it. AFR 164-5, 
Worldwide Aeromedical Evacuation, and its Army, Navy and Marine Corps 
equivalents offer no more than one sentence stating the requirement 
for comprehensive support. That directive is currently inadequate as 
definitive guidance for support of AE ground UTCs. 
 
Recommendation. Review and revise all joint service regulations 
having relevance to AK, with the intention of developing current and 
sufficient guidance regarding host service support requirements and 
related procedures. 
 
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