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File: aacbe_03.txtPrincipal threat: terrorist attack. Outside Iraqi missile and probable air interdiction capability. Col Chan doing a fine job of leading. Unit integrity is obvi- ous, the lines of communication quite good, morale high. Relayed to CENTAF a number of perceived needs: Suction, volume ventilators, pulse oximeters, cardiac monitors/defibriIlators. Two additional flight surgeons, and since working a satellite clinic-one of an IDMT,NP, or PA. Strategic concern: Food is catered, water sources also commercial. Clearly vulnerable to BW attack, or to simple poisons. Assets being guarded and inspected, but in my view, still very easy to sabotage. Need a SON on botulism toxin detection for food and water [SAC working, others need to play]. Clearly its business, but I'm suggesting to CENTAF a policy of reversion to field conditions [controlled sources of food and water, US only], with 24-48 hrs warning of hostilities, or upon actual enemy attack anywhere. Same issues for non-urban areas, where water supplied by pipeline or well- so virtually an universal concern. While I have a real sense of urgency about the issue, it occurred to me only after I'd lost the opportunity to discuss it directly; it may well be that CENTAF indeed has such a plan. TAIF [(b)(2)] Primary threats: terrorist attack, air and missile attack. Medical facilities are near hardened assets, where they will go if under active bombardment. Another excellent example of medical leadership. Medical personnel are all over the base, volunteering anywhere needed to get things done, and leading in extracurriculars like golf (no kidding). Col Cotlar is also making inroads with people at two Saudi military hospitals nearby. As is the case elsewhere, its taking some time for our hosts to begin to feel comfortable with our medical presence' and to begin to allow any real integration of resources, but progress is being made. Maj Mike Lischak, an attached SAC FS from Alconbury, made a good call. He'd observed recce flyers going to the coast and diving, then returning to the base [7000' elev] same day. Put a stop to same before decompression sickness an issue Had also put good OIs in place per use of hyperbaric facilities at Jiddah' should the need arise. CENTAF, in turn, confirmed that the hyperbaric capability was indeed a good one there. Maj Lischak also passed along that the recce crews, in his view, were flying at maximum number safe daily sorties. This was later shared with SAC DO, XP. There is no plan to further extend their flying. Strategic concern: Lots of local effort has been expended to prevent the we/they
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