OBSERVATIONS AND THOUGHTS OF DESERT SHIELD

File: aacbe_05.txt
Page: 05
Total Pages: 6

        down on the peninsula.] B)There is no plan for the active flow
        of aeromedical evacuation patients through DG. Thereafter, it
        became apparent to all that there is no justification for a
        surgical team and equipment there.
        There may be a few more SAC bombers accruing to DG over time,
        so SAC will look at sending one more practitioner in the January
        timeframe.
        Also addressed a laundry list of equipment needs, including a
        dental field operatory,  which SAC will forward. Some tentage
         requirements were worked with CE while I was there.  Also got into
       some communication requirements,  which will likewise be worked
       within SAC resources.
          Strategic concerns:
       Paradoxically the unit which is really the tip of SAC's spear
       for Desert Shield had the least overt warfighting mentality.
       CINCSAC's conclusion: They've got it too soft. There are too many
       SAC people on DG with not enough to do. CINCSAC plans to cor-
       rect...so another provider in January may not be necessary.
       Who has the stick on DG medically? Reached a gentlemanly
       agreement with CENTAF/SG that SAC work all AF medical personnel
       and equipment issues on DG,  with info only to CENTAF. This does
       not exempt us from close coordination with PACOM, which retains
       overall medical responsibility for the island.
      
       RIYADH
            [(b)(2)]
      
       Primary threats: terrorist attack, conventional air
       attack (essentially suicide only), remote chance of SCUD with CW,
       BW warhead.
       Toured "the bubble," the command center for coordinated air
       activities throughout the AOR. If its not in the daily ATO, the
       sortie won't fly, regardless of originating Service--- even the
       ships in the Gulf. This has yielded a tremendous advance in the
       business of unified air warfare in theatre. For example, with
       the need for multiple air refuelings for aircraft not only across
       services but across nationalities, we've developed a whole new
       manual on tanker ops.
       The entire center is very heavily computer dependent. The
       complexity of today's air operations makes WWII planning look
       like child play .
       At the time there was no aeromedical evacuation ongoing. The
       bubble is a logical place for us to have concentrated ASF,JMRO,
       ALCE,  and tactical ops types to see all air evacuations coordi-
       nated for Army, Navy and AF lift. Didn't see them, but assume
       they're there.
      
       Strategic concerns: How tightly integrated are the elements in
       the last paragraph above? Further, do we have enough ASFs spread
       around the AOR?[I didn't happen to see any, ergo this.] Have we