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File: 123096_sep96_decls2_0027.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
Dhn'hr%tn to Al Jubayl. Theater medical planners had arranged support for the fleet
hospital at the original site. COMUSMARCENT, however, did not initially recog-
nize or provide the range of base operating support required. As a result, FH-5
lacked the proper fuel for its generators, security personnel to guard its perimeter
(and, later, enemy prisoners of war), and trained personnel to direct air operations.
COMUSMARCENT did provide adequate support to PH-15 when it deployed in
February.
During the deployment, FH-5 validated the need for a personnel support
detachment and an air division to be reflected in their required operational
capabihties/projected operating environment (ROC/POE). A requirement for at least
one PONE officer and an automated data processing (ADP) officer was also iden-
tified. The medical staff also identified a shortage of radiology technicians.
HOSPITAL SHIP DEPLO
Desert Shield confimed that the hospital ships provide a dedicated afloat MTF
capable_ of rapid deployment. Although nominally designated as echelon M
facilities, the hospital ships are able to provide echelon IV de@tive care. The
concept of operations for the hospital ships calls for the Mhtary Sealift Com-
mand (MSC) to operate the platforms with a civilian master and crew and for a
Navy medical corps olecer to command the onboard MTF. When in full operating
status, a military detachment, consisting of both medical and nonmedical personnel,
operates and maintains the MTF and augments the ship's crew.
At the start of Desert Shield, the MSC maintained USNS Mercy at NSC Oak-
d operating status with capability to
achieve full operating status of the ship within five days of receipt of sailing orders
(ROS-5). Each hospital ship medical facility was staffed with a cadre crew of
6 officers and 34 enlisted personnel. USNS Mercy was augmented primarily with
personnel from Naval Hospital, Oakland, or subordinate MTFs and DTFS.
USNS Comfort drew most of its augmentation personnel from National Naval
Medical Center, Bethesda, or subordinate MTFs and DTFS.
CINCCENT agreed to an initial reduced staffing of the hospital ships for a
500-bed capability. The CNO directed that hospital ships depart with a crew of
214 nonmedical personnel and about 40 percent of 'the onboard MTF staff. A
second group of augmentees joined the ships en route or in theater. The hospital
ships arrived in theater with nearly a full complement of nonmedical personnel and
sufficient medical staff to operate a 500-bed MTF, including 250 acute@ beds.
-18-
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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