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File: 970207_aadcv_021.txtTOPIC AREA: EQUIPMENT STANDARDIZATION / AE KITS, etc. SUBMITTED BY: HQ AFRES/SGXO ISSUE: Environmental control capability must be available in aeromedical evacuation warehouses used to store medical items. OBSERVATION: Sufficient warehouse space was made available in aircraft hangars at RAF Upper Heyford; however, total control of the environment was not possible. DISCUSSION: The warehouse made available to store medical supplies was cold, sometimes damp, and had little to no environmental control capability. Heat was provided by using aerospace ground equipment (AGE). The AGE units, sufficient for moderate temperatures, had to be turned off when the warehouse was unmanned. Due to the limited number of medical supply personnel assigned it was not practical to staff the medical, supply section on a 24 hour basis. It was necessary to check the warehouse on cold nights periodically and start the heating units as required so that some liquid items did not freeze. IMPACT: The life expectancy of supplies and equipment may be altered due to extreme changes in temperature and humidity. This causes unnecessary expenditure of funds for early replacement and restocking. RECOMMENDATION: Although the warehouse proved adequate most of the time, it is essential that the ability to control the climate in the warehouse be considered as a requirement before a facility is approved. 20
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