Operations DESERT SHIELD/DESERT STORM - Environmental Health Experience

File: 970207_aadch_003.txt
Page: 003
Total Pages: 46
      
      
                       OPERATIONS DESERT SHIELD & DESERT STORM
                                         ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
                            POST-DEPLOYMENT WORKSHOP SUMMARY
      
       I. INTRODUCTION.
      
          1. HQ TAC/SG sponsored a workshop at Langley AFB Virginia on
       2 -3 May 1991. The purpose of this gathering was to discuss the
       lessons learned during Operations DESERT SHIELD/DESERT STORM
       about environmental health and patient decontamination issues.
       The workshop attendee list and agenda are attached.
      
           2. Only brief descriptions of the problems discussed and
       actions required are given in this document. More detailed
       information can be found in TAC/SGPM special reports on food
       safety and disease data that will be included in the final TAC/SG
       after action report.
      
       II. PROBLEMS/CONCERNS IDENTIFIED:
      
           1. ATH Organization: There was some confusion about the
      chain of command regarding Environmental Health (EH),
      Bioenvironmental Engineering (BEE) and (when present) the Chief,
      Aeromedical Services. In the absence of a Chief, Aeromedical
      Services, the OIC of EH should report to the ATH commander. In
      some cases the ATH commander may make either the BEE or EHO the
      chief of both sections.
      
            2. Manning Issues:
      
                a. EH manning on the Air Transportable Hospital (ATH),
      Unit Type Codes (UTC) FFGK5 and FFGK2, was considered adequate
      and no changes were recommended.
      
                b. Patient Decontamination Team (UTC FFGLB) manning was
      considered appropriate and no changes recommended. Furthermore,
      technical expertise will be adequate even if 907X0s are withdrawn
      as is proposed by HQ TAC/SGPB.
      
                c. Home Base Residual Staffing: There were insufficient
      experienced personnel remaining at TAC MTFs because of mobility
      tasking and Air Reserve Component backfills were not all
      adequately trained in peacetime EH tasks to take over. The new
      EH manpower standard (2nd officer) will help prevent a recurrence
      of this situation. HQ TAC can redistribute 2nd officers to bases
      in need.
      
            3. SME/ATC (UTC FFDAB) Support: TAC Resulation 400-10
      requires that a 907X0 and a 908X0 be assigned when ATCs are
      deployed to bare base operations. This is excellent guidance
      and should have driven the assignment of 907s and 308s rather
      than the foodborne illness outbreaks.
      
            4. Command Guidance: Some AF approved food sources were
      
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