MEDICAL OPERATIONS

File: 970107_aug96_decls3_0006.txt
Page: 0006
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


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             casualties with minor injuries would e            an@qhe soldier returned to
             their unit. With the threat of nerve agents and blistering agents, small
             scale decontamination areas were established downwind from the BAS. The BAS
             also prepared to see an increased number of battle fatigue casualties.
             Past statistics showed 80% of these casualties if given supportive therapy,
             quiet area to sleep, and hot meals to eat could be returned to their units in
             24-72 hours.

                          Another focus was preparation for the biological threat.         A
             furious effort was made to obtain, deliver and administer the anthrax
             vaccine during the month of January and February 1991.              The    CANA
             autoinjectables became available in January and were distributed to most of
             the Bns to be issued at a Btry level if necessary.      Ciprofloxacillin, an
             antibiotic, was also ordered and stocked by the Bns in case of biological
             warfare during the month of February 1991.

                 F. Desert Storm - Air/Ground War


                     1. Medical Care

                          Training continued with the emphasis on the stages of combat care
             - buddy aid, CLS or medic and BAS. It was the responsibility of the Bn
             Surgeons to coordinate their ground or air MEDEVAC with the closest
             responsible unit. Air evacuations of wounded were primarily Huey or Black
             Hawk helicopters. However the Air Force established Military Aeramedical
             S'lag4ng Facility (MASF) sites along Tapline Rd with C-130 transport planes,
             to eveculate to hospitals within SA. The chain of medical evacuation for
borders were
             stabilization at the SAS, transfer to medical-clearing station or more
             likely a MASH, CSH or EVAC hospital for emergency surgery. Ideally within
             24 hours patient would be MEDEVACed to KKMC at a surrounding hospital if
             unstable. If stabled the patient would be MEDVACed to an Aeromedical Staging
             Fac4lity and flown to Germany on a C-141 within 24-48 hours.

                          In January the PB anti-nerve agent tablets were taken I
             tablet ever 9 hr. protocol for 4-5 days before being discountinued. Most
             soldiers tolerated the medication but complaints of Nausea, diarrhea and
             polyuria were not uncommon. Transient confusion and respiratory distress
             were also reported.

                 B. Redeployment

                     1. Supplies/Equipment

                          Controlled substances were turned into the closest MEDSOM or
             destroyed by the Bn Surgeons. The CANA units were collectively returned to
             the MEDSOMs for wartime storage. Soon to be expired medical supplies and
             drugs were given to remaining units or Saudi medical facilities. The MEDSOMs
             would not allow the return of these items.


                     2. Medical Care


                          Sick call or medical emergencies were seen at the Khobar Towers
             Medical Clinic which was staffed by physicians and medics from the 129th
             medical company. Soldiers were sent to the 85 EVAC hospital for specialty
             referral or hospitalization.





                                              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