MEDICAL OPERATIONS

File: 970107_aug96_decls3_0003.txt
Page: 0003
Total Pages: 6

Subject: MEDICAL OPERATIONS                                              

Unit: ARCENT      

Parent Organization: CENTCOM     

Box  ID: BX000473

Folder Title: COMMAND REPORTS 11TH ADA BDE  LESSONS LEARNED 1 OF 2 PERMANENT DESERT SHIELD-STORM              

Document Number:         22

Folder Seq  #:          5


                                            UNCLASSIFIED
                          At the end of August all medical officers for the Ilth ADA Bde
              attended the American College of Surgeon's Advanced Trauma Life Support.
              (ATLS).   This intensive 3 day course was essential to Bn and Bde surgeons
              if they expected to handle trauma casualties successfully. A live goat lab
              accompanied the course allowing the practice of various life support
              procedures. The Bde Surgeon coordinated with WBAMC and 3rd ACR allowing all
              the ilth ADA medics the opportunity to attend a modified ATLS course with a
              goat lab.    The response was excellent from the medics. This course was
              offered three times during the months of September and October.

                      3. Supplies/Equipment

                          Initially CPT Gonzales and the Bde Medical NCO SFC Akyal
              coordinated with the WBAMC Medical Supply Branch the issue to the ADA Bns 3-
              43, 5-62 and 2-1 of the newly marketed MED MOD sets. The set consisted of
              standardized packed metal lockers with        equipment, dressing,      splints
              medication etc. There were 4 categories of equipment and supplies; trauma;
              sick call; NBC Decon; and NBC treatment.      2-7th ADA Bn's Med MOD set was
              shipped to Saudi Arabia, since the majority   of the Bn had alreadyideployed.
              The medical officers developed a medication   and medical equipment list that
              was ordered and received prior to deployment

                 C. Deployment - Dhahran and Riyad

                      1. Medical Care

                          Early during the deployment there were few U.S. military
              hospitals to utilize. Chief Diaz, who arrived in Dhahran early, was
              concerned about preventive medicine as much as trauma medicine. Acclimating
to the high temperatures of August demanded setting up
              strict work routines with frequent breaks for water. No serious heat
              irjuries occured.

                          As more supplies and personnel arrived a centralized BAS was
              set up on 10 September 1990 in Dammanm's Ice Palace to serve llth ADA Bde
              S'la;41 HHD- Ilth ADA and 2-7 ADA on 10 Sept.      Those soldiers requiring
              further medical care and/or hospitalization were taken to the Air Force #1
              Air Transportable Hospital (ATH) located in Dhahran approximately 20
              minutes away. SFC Akyol, the Bde medical NCO, arrived to assist the Bde
              S@,rgeon as a laison to the IS ABC Surgeons HO and with the 44 Medical Bde.
              As the 32 MEDSOM became functional a Bde Class VIII account                 was
              established. The 5th MASH with 60 beds was one of the first USA hospitals
              to set up in Dhahran on 12 September 1990. The majority of the llth ADA
              medical referrals began being seen at the 5th MASH rather than the Ist ATH.

                          A second major area of llth ADA coverage was being implemented
              by Bn 3-43 ADA in Riyadh. With the assistance of MAJ Ching, the BAS began
              providing most of the health care for the Dn by early September.        Medical
              referrals and hospital admission went to the USAF 56th ATH in Riyadh.

                     2. Preventive Medicine

                          Initially, the biggest threat was environmental. Instructing the
              soldiers on acclimatization to the high heat was a priority. Acclimatization
              required two weeks with proper work-rest cycles, frequent hydration (2
              qts/hr) and command emphasis.




                                       UNCLASSIFIED

Document 6 f:/Week-33/BX000473/COMMAND REPORTS 11TH ADA BDE LESSONS LEARNED 1 OF 2 PERMANENT DESERT SHIELD-STORM/medical operations:010297184301102
Control Fields 17
File Room = aug96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-33
Box ID = BX000473
Unit = ARCENT
Parent Organization = CENTCOM
Folder Title = COMMAND REPORTS 11TH ADA BDE LESSONS LEARNED 1 OF 2 PERMANENT DESERT SHIELD-STORM
Folder Seq # = 5
Subject = MEDICAL OPERATIONS
Document Seq # = 22
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 = 02-JAN-1997