STRESS AND COPING WITH TRAUMA OF WAR IN THE PERSIAN GULF

File: 110596_sep96_decls2_0034.txt
Page: 0034
Total Pages: 48

Subject: STRESS AND COPING WITH TRAUMA OF WAR IN THE PERSIAN GULF        

Unit: VAR. BUMED  

Parent Organization: BUMED       

Box ID: BX303818

Folder Title: USNS COMFORT TAH 20 MEDICAL ARTICLES 1991 1992                                                  

Document Number:          4

Folder SEQ  #:         13












                   one of the external consultations conducted by the

              mental health team took place aboard the USS Iwo Jima. The

              Iwo Jima is an amphibious assault ship that transports
              helicopters, marines, and @ipment in support of amphibious
              operations. The ship had completed several demanding

              overseas deployments before being ordered to proceed to the

              Persian Gulf in support of Operation Dessert Shield. On 30

              October 1990, the USS Iwo Jima was steaming out of Bahrain

              after completing boiler repairs. The crew was somewhat
              anxious because the ship had recently experienced a series

              of mechanical failures. The boiler had been pressurized for

              the first time since repairs were completed, and the night

              crew had just been relieved.

                   A fresh crew had assumed duty in the boiler room when,

              suddenly, 600 pounds per square inch (psi) of steam began to
              escape from one of the main valves connecting the boiler to

              the turbine. one man was able to scamper up the ladder to
              safety, but within seconds the entire boiler room filled
              with superheated steam, scalding the remaining ten men. The
              ship went to general quarters, power was lost, and the
              medical and damage control teams went into action. Four men
              managed to climb the ladders out of the boiler room into the

              crawls mess deck screaming in agony. Their friends

              attempted to render aid. One sailor said later that he
              could not recognize one of the victims, a close friend,



                                            647

Document 48 f:/Week-39/BX303818/USNS COMFORT TAH 20 MEDICAL ARTICLES 1991 1992/stress and coping with trauma of war in the pers:1104960910243
Control Fields 17
File Room = sep96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-39
Box ID = BX303818
Unit = VAR. BUMED
Parent Organization = BUMED
Folder Title = USNS COMFORT TAH 20 MEDICAL ARTICLES 1991 1992
Folder Seq # = 13
Subject = STRESS AND COPING WITH TRAUMA OF WAR IN THE PERS
Document Seq # = 4
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 = 04-NOV-1996