INTERIM AFTER ACTION REPORT

File: 102496_aug96_decls10_0003.txt
Page: 0003
Total Pages: 8

Subject: INTERIM AFTER ACTION REPORT                                     

Unit: ARCENT      

Parent Organization: CENTCOM     

Box ID: BX000481

Folder Title: COMMAND REPORTS ARCENT MEDICAL LESSONS LEARNED - OPPLAN                                         

Document Number:         42

Folder SEQ  #:         14









               The most significant problem was communication, especially
          between the various concentration areas.     This included lack of
          telephone points, too few trunk lines, and slow and irregular mail
          and distribution service. The only reliable means of communication
          was by using our own resources (personnel and vehicles as liaison
          and couriers).

               The second most serious problem was logistics, apparently due
          to being at the end of a long supply chain e.g. throughput did not
          work well for this unit. There were significant shortages - often
          total lacks - in mission-essential supplies, including pesticides,
          reagents for water analysis, and repair parts for vehicles. Many
          of these problems were lessened somewhat by local purchase by unit
          Class A agents and the items being available in a Western type
          culture. Such would not be the case in third world countries.

               We had several special advantages in overcoming problems.
          First was the quality of personnel, especially their wide array of
          knowledge and experience in fields peripheral to or totally
          distinct from their MOS/AOC. As one typical case, we did much of
          our utility work, such as installing and testing an autoclave, with
          little need for engineer support. other cases included providing
          waste water design criteria for EPW Camps and toxicological staff
          support to the MEDCOM Consultant.

               An important cause of the low DNBI rate is that the greater
          part of the troop presence was in the coolest part of the year,
          with resulting low potential for heat-related problems and insect
          infestation. Another important factor, especially for the injury
          rate, was the general ban on alcohol and finally in the use of
          bottled water which was of high quality.

 critical limitation on our fulfillment
          of our mission was the inadequate equipment sets in the TOE'S,
          particularly those for water quality analysis and industrial
          hygiene survey.    We bypassed these problems with assistance in
          equipment and services from outside agencies, both U.S. Army (such
          as the AEHA) and host nation (such as the Riyadh Military Hospital
          Laboratories). Nevertheless permanent solutions are required.

               The other major limitation was the poor communications, which
          slowed responses to developing problems and increased wear and tear
          on persons and vehicles.

               These and other problems, and recommended solutions, are
          discussed in Part II.




          PART II LESSONS LEARNED


               See attached diskette

Document 8 f:/Week-32/BX000481/COMMAND REPORTS ARCENT MEDICAL LESSONS LEARNED - OPPLAN/interim after action report:10119615402411
Control Fields 17
File Room = aug96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-32
Box ID = BX000481
Unit = ARCENT
Parent Organization = CENTCOM
Folder Title = COMMAND REPORTS ARCENT MEDICAL LESSONS LEARNED - OPPLAN
Folder Seq # = 14
Subject = INTERIM AFTER ACTION REPORT
Document Seq # = 42
Document Date =
Scan Date =
Queued for Declassification = 01-JAN-1980
Short Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Long Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Permanent Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Non-Health Related Document = 01-JAN-1980
Declassified = 11-OCT-1996