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File: 970207_aadch_003.txtOPERATIONS 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 Furthermore, technical expertise will be adequate even if 907X0s are withdrawn as is proposed by HQ TAC/SGPB.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 1
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