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                                  SUPPLY
      Many ATC's arrived in several shipments over the course of 7 to 14 days.
The condition of the ATO's on arrival was mostly good. Exceptions were related to
heat in theater or poor maintenance while in WRM storage. There were reports
of deteriorated plastic tubing, tents, and melted gelatin capsules. Not all ATO's
were deployed with the May 1990 table of allowances resulting in a variety of
functional deficiencies, most notably an outdated ~rmulary. Several suggestions
for changes to the ATC Table of Allowances (TA) were submitted; however, most
had already been accomplished by the May 1990, TA revision or could easily be
accommodated within the 250-pound option.        Some proposed that laptop
computers be added.   Some SME's who received their ATO early had supplies
confiscated by the ATH's whose personnel and equipment packages did not
always arrive together.
      Resupply was a critical and persistent problem for nearly all units. Local
purchase was used as the most rapid means of acquiring needed supplies but was
also costly. The most reliable method of supply was to call the home base and
have medical items sent with other line supplies being shipped.    Inability of the
SME1s to order suppliee directly impeded the resupply process.     In cases where
ATC's were not collocated with their supporttng ATH, delays were experienced in
obtaining ordered supplies.  Intratheater airlift may have been adequate from
Riyadh to any local base, but was often scarce between a given ATH location and
that of the supported ATO. Some ATH's were reluctant to release their supplies to
ATC's.    In at least one case, supplies ordered by one ATC through their
designated supporting ATH were given to a different ATC necessitating
reordering and further delays. At about the midpoint in Operation Desert Shield,
units were advised that they should not request supplies from home base. Those
who did not comply with this policy had fewer supply problems.         One SME
received the formal ATO resupply package and found it to be quite adequate.
      Difficulty in obtaining spectacles, contact lenses and associated solutions
was almost universal. Patients' prescriptions were not always on record.   Some
U.S. Army optometry units were        not familiar with aircrew frames.     The
envir6nment caused accelerated degradation of lenses. The new-issue gas masks
required different insert lenses.   These factors overwhelmed an Army system
planned to provide for all theater vision care needs.      In addition, the Army
MEDSOM did not stock the contact lenses and usociated supplies which are used
in the Air Force Contact Lens Program.   The large list of acceptable lenses and
solutions in use by Air Force aviators further complicated the problem. Except for
the supply problem, contact lenses worked well for those who chose to continue
their use.  There wore no reports received of an Air Force aviator who required
ophthalmologic consultation in theater for a contact lens related problem.
      Bargaining, borrowing, trading, confiscating, and stealing were various
methods used by units to procure needed supplies. Security and accountability of
controlled drugs was a problem in a few locations. One ATC was robbed and the
SME assaulted.
      SME1s made early efforts to assess host nation medical support.      When
discussions were conducted in a polit~, respectful manner, ~~~ to- face with the
responsible authorities, good host nation support resulted. In one location, labor
relations problems caused host nation medical manpower to evaporate just prior
to the start of Operation Desert Storm.   Generally, SME's desired more rapid

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