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File: 123096_sep96_decls2_0015.txt
Subject: MEDICAL OPERATIONS DURING OPERATION DESERT STORM 9 NOV 91
Unit: VAR. BUMED
Parent Organization: BUMED
Box ID: BX303801
Folder Title: VARIOUS BUMED DOCUMENTS FOLDER 6
Document Number: 2
Folder Seq #: 10
CO CONTROL, AND COMMMCATIONS
USCINCCENT exercised operational control of the theater medical system.
The CENTCOM surgeon was responsible for monitoring the capability and effective-
ness of the evacuation system, monitoring theater medical-bed status and imple-
menting cross4eveling or unit movement as necessary, directing movement of
medical assets to assist with mass casualties, and directing movement of medical
supplies to meet theater requirements. In addition, the CENTCOM surgeon had
directive authority over the JMRO and the JBPO.
USCENTCOM had both the Navy and the Marir-e Corps as major subordinate
commands. This posed some probl,-Tni; for medical coTnTn and and control- problems
that are likely to occur.in any cotnyn and structure that places Marine Corps forces at
the same level as rather than under the Navy. Under the CENTCOM command
structure, NAVCFNT and MARCENT had separate chains of command with no
formal @ to carry out their shared responsibility for providing theater medical
support for naval forces. COMUSMARCENT was responsible for echelon I and E
medical care ashore for Marine Corps forces. COMUSN.4,VCENT was responsible
for echelon I and II care afloat and all echelon IH care for both Marine Corps and
Navy forces. This command structure left unclear the responsibility for determining
the overall adequacy of the theater medical support system for naval forces. Be-
cause both NAVCENT and MARCENT draw medical personnel and materiel from
the Navy medical department, the establishment of a medical support system
te and
coordinate limited medical assets. The absence of an organizational link between
the medical staffs of the two components prolonged the time required for joint
planning because the MARCENT and NAVCENT surgeons did not have access to
the same @ormation at the same time.
The Department of the Navy should review the alternative structures for
medical command and control when both the Navy and the Marine Corps are major
subordinate commands. Under one approach, the Navy component surgeon is
responsible for medical support for all naval forres in theater. Under this arrange-
ment, the Marine Corps component commander would retain full operational control
of organic medical assets. This arrangement creates a formal mechanism for coordi-
nation of medical support and resolution of disputes that remains within the De-
partment of the Navy. Another approach leaves the common operational
superior-in this case, the CINCCENT surgeon-rto resolve any disagreements and
assess the adequacy of the overall system for naval forces. This approach recognizes
that the CINCCENT surgeon owns all theater medical assets at or above echelon in
-6-
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Document 57 f:/Week-37/BX303801/VARIOUS BUMED DOCUMENTS FOLDER 6/medical operations during operation desert storm:1217961126393
Control Fields 17
File Room = sep96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-37
Box ID = BX303801
Unit = VAR. BUMED
Parent Organization = BUMED
Folder Title = VARIOUS BUMED DOCUMENTS FOLDER 6
Folder Seq # = 10
Subject = MEDICAL OPERATIONS DURING OPERATION DESERT STORM
Document Seq # = 2
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 = 17-DEC-1996