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                                             MUNITIONS

        Munitions stocks prepositioned in Oman and aboard three
        prepositioned ships were the only sources of ammunition initially
        available to USCENTAF forces. These stocks represented a good, but
        basic, mix of conventional ordnance. The primary inventory
        consisted of MK-80 series general purpose bombs, Viet Nam vintage
        cluster bomb units (CBUs), ammunition, and some laser guided GBU-12
        resources.   These munitions had been maintained for several years
        by a combination of contractor and "Blue Suit" forces and were in
       combat ready condition for the most part. The MK-20 Rockeyes
       aboard the prepositioning ships had not had a TCTO complied with
       thus restricting their use on high speed aircraft. As the forces
       were bedded down, these prepositioned munitions were pushed forward
       to support them. These stocks, plus air-to-air missiles ferried in
       by deploying units, pretty well matched initial mission
       requirements for USCENTAF forces and could support anticipated
       sorties for approximately 30 days. Three sustainment ammunition
       ships, to maintain these forces once hostilities commenced, were
       built in late August 1990 by the USAF ACP in response to USCENTAF
       requirements These vessels became absolutely critical to reach 30
       days of supply when the supported force structure effectively
       doubled in November 1990.

       Additions to force structure drove munitions requirements
       through the roof. Also, explosives storage capability at most area
       of responsibility (AOR) beddown locations was either non-existent

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