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               Air War Taskings - Opera~on Desert Storm

       Aircraft
       Fighter/bomber   35,531
       Air ref~eling     9,947
       Airlift          14,446
       Other             7,227
       Total            67,151

USAF flew 59% of all coalition sorties with 37% of coalition losses
USAF flew 70% of all U.S. sorties with 50% of U.S. aircraft losses

                  Investigation Comments
-Most mishap report writing was done in COWUS following investigation in
theater.
-The distinction between combat and non-combat loss was not always clear.
-There was conf~ision early about whether an investigating flight surgeon would
come from forward or rear.
-There is usef~il information to be gained, and ffight surgeons were encouraged to
complete the life support portions of the 711gA when possible for combat losses.
-Autopsies were conducted at Rhein Main and the remains were generally
accompanied by the interizfl board flight surgeon.
-Shi ping of toxicological specimens to AFIP was a problem; one set was lost,
anot er inordinately delayed at Rhein Main.
-From Diego Garcia, autopsies were conducted at Kadena.
-Most locations had inadequate preparations for mishap investigation.
-There was no clear plan in the beginning who would do identification of remains
and who had authority over the remains.  Conflicts arose between Senrices and
Medics over this issue.
-Many flight surgeons became involved with the investigations -- interim board
rnember, permanent board member, deployed SME, home base flight surgeon --
but their efforts were often poorly coordinated;

                       Recommendations
1. Establish at the earliest opportunity a single point for identification of remains,
performance of autopsies and who has responsibility for releasing remains.
Concurrence of the interim or permanent hoard flight surgeon should be sought
before remains are released.   Medical records should be forwarded to that
identification point.
2. Permanent board flight surgeons should be assigned from rear elements using
the usual notification channels.
3. SME's should assure that mishap investigation kits are deployed with the ATO
pallet.


                                    .28-

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