67 COMBAT SUPPORT GROUP TRIP REPORT

File: aacad_13.txt
Page: 13
Total Pages: 14


           billeting was p1entiful with about 8 or 9 cots to a tent versus
           12-13 at KKMC. We gave out clean sheets, blankets and pillows to
           all personnel when requested thanks to out laundry service. DV
           tents were also present here, along with a few outrageous
           policies like fruit baskets and sundries, in the desert. The DV
           suites were furnished and carpeted with elaborate furnishings
           from the American Embassy. The embassy gave us approx 2500 pieces
           of furniture, unfortunately we got stuck to pack up and return at
           tear down time. The people before us were set up very nicely to
           say the least. Billeting was also located in a separate tent at
           this location, very good idea to have a separate office tent
           which we shared with PERSCO. We didn't have any mortuary cases at
           this location.

           MWR was probably the most interesting part of this tour. I was
           responsible for five MWR airman. Facilities included local
           purchased weight room in a GP Shelter, rec center in a GP shelter
           with nintendos, movie check out, tv/vcr, games, books etc..there
           were also two 24 hour movie tents. The all ranks club was two GP
           shelters together, local purchased tables, chairs, sound system
           and two beer coolers. Restrooms were built on the hill, with a
           bar, DJ booth for over 200 CDs and AM2 matting was used as the
           floor.   It was a great place to hang out and we ran bingo, theme
           nights and departure parties there. Tours were probably the
           biggest pain. The civilian bus contractor was somewhat unreliable
           with times, but it was the only company allowed on the base.
           American Express ran the major tours and picked us up outside the
           gate. Tours were weekly and covered by APF to Ismal, Alexandria,
           Pyramids, City Tour, River Cruise, E1 Alamein and Beduin Night.  I
           restructured the program as described in my attached memo for
           record. I played a significant role in tear down operations at
           this site.  We had a 30 day timeline which worked great as far as
           phasing out facilities and packing up equipment and sending
           people home. Since we had all the customer service facilities it
           was a game of chance for stopping food orders,  products etc...
           never knowing if the base would really close or not but
           hypothesizing. I did two hotel inspections of kitchens, rooms and
           security for the move to contract quarters when the word was
           given to close. We moved to the Ramada on day 20 after the
           fighters returned home and stayed in the quarters for about two
           weeks as we tore down tent city and packed it up. We returned the
           furniture to the embassy warehouse, gave most assets to the
           embassy to redistribute to Aspen, Brightstar ect...such as
           movies, cd's, tvs etc,.. We packed the kitchen in two days and
           then ran a billeting operation and QAE function in the Ramada
           kitchen. We returned to Austin on 15 June after passing through
           Rein Mein GE and McGuire AFB NJ.

           Lesson' Learned

           - Check all questionable financial matters out with HQ - Things
           looked too good to be true here and they were.




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