603 MILITARY AIRLIFT SUPPORT GROUP HISTORY, JAN-JUN 91

File: aacbd_05.txt
Page: 05
Total Pages: 9
understands that he works for the ALCE CC.  He can handle
             the outside problems the ALCE CC doesn't have time for.
            
             e. Noteworthy Performance: Most of the problems stated
             above were either corrected or improved dramatically when CMSgt
             Andersen from the (146 MAPS) Van Nuys Guard arrived and took over
             in the TR section.  He understood and used the chain of command
             very effectively.  His people were very well trained and true
             professionals at their jobs. His arrival at the start would have
             been very welcome. All reserve and guard units should mirror the
             training program of the Van Nuys Guard. They are the epitome of
             what MAPS is all about.

             2. Communications:
            
             a. Problem: Strategic airflow wasn't passed in a timely
             manner. Several times we had aircraft arrive without prior
             warning. I  guess the ALCC was swamped with information and
             didn't have time to pass updated ETA's or new station workloads.
             We needed updated station workloads every 6 hours as fast as
             things were changing. When fax machines were finally installed
             in the MARC, ALCC never sent us any information.

             Solution: Accelerate the C2IPS system so ALCE's have direct
             access to the GDSS information. Until that time have everyone
             use fax as much as possible since SAT DATA seeing to go down quite
             often when the airways get saturated.
            
            b. Problem: Too many offices were trying to use Desert
            Storm as the proving grounds for their systems without doing all
            of the coordination and support required to run their system. TR
            section at Riyadh sent the RCAPS system to our location and
            expected the ALCE to handle the support requirements of
            commercial phone line and personnel to run the system.  The ALCE
            MARC had the only commercial line which was primarily used for
            command and control in theatre and worldwide. We had to time
            share this line which impacted our ability to talk to ALCC on
            many instances.
            
            Solution: Make sure all coordination and support for any system
            has been done prior to installing-at a new location. The ALCE
            doesn't have time to do the legwork for these systems.  If the
            ALCE commander says the system won't benefit his operation,
            believe him.
            
            c. Problem: Threat warnings were usually provided in a
            timely manner prior to SCUD attacks, however the coordination and
            communication between MAC and CENTAF were inconsistent. On
            numerous occasions MAC would initiate a SCUD alert and our tent
            city, who received alert warnings through CENTAF, wouldn't react
            at all. This inconsistency could have cost us many lives!