UPDATE ON OPERATION DESERT SHIELD 5 JAN 91

File: 970107_sep96_decls46_0003.txt
Page: 0003
Total Pages: 4

Subject: UPDATE ON OPERATION DESERT SHIELD 5 JAN 91                      

Unit: OTSG        

Parent Organization: HSC         

Box  ID: BX003205

Folder Title: OPERATION DESERT STORM UPDATE                                                                   

Document Number:          2

Folder Seq  #:         41






          S. Recent news was tnaz tne EAC medical command and control unit will
          be a provisional medical command headed oy COL Tsoulos.         The other corps
          has the       Med Bde, commanded by BG Strong.

          9. Problem areas for this operation revolve around logistics. Materiel
          handling equipment, 5 ton trucks, flatoods, dolly sets, ocean and air
          transport, and supply don'@@ meet expectations. Class IX (parts) Supply
          is a continuing problem.      The transportation requirements for the
          DEPMEDS sets are formidable. DEPMEDS nosi3itals are deployable, but they
          sure are-i't mobile.   Microscopes for the labs came without oil immersion
          lenses (apparently those were the specs').        Total tentage in the inven-
          tory was apparently inadequate in amount.        The amount of local our-
          chasing and contracting necessary has been remarkable.          It is fortunate
          that the Saudi commercial infrastructure is able to support tne demands.
          What would happen during deployment to a truly backward region- The
          li+t capaoility oi Our torce seems not to be able to keep up.

          11). Planning for EPW and refugee issues is still embryonic, despite the
          possible tremendous numbers of people who miqnt be involved.           Some
          folks from tne 74th and 926th have been doing some planning +or the EPW
          issue, coordinatina witr. tne MPs.      It was interesting to discover that
          there are Reserve @P units whose sole ,nission is runnin-- EPW camos.
          Un+orrunarei-,,, tne medic:@.- asreczl at sL:,cr. oderatons -Are onlv super-
          f,clall-.( addressed in the available ooctrine. We're trying to fix that.

          11. I ran into CPT ion Carter, c),38 of the c)-Ind Med Gp, +or the first
          time today. He is doing a lot o4 operations work for the Go and hardly
need to
          relook at the placement of PM specialists in the force structure,
          including 6E3Bs, 6OCs, and 6SN/F's.     Tne other 6BBs and MAO Johnson (6BP)
          were recently involved in guiding the cleanup for a MIAI tan@ that
          burned up in the 24th.      Apparently, the tank and a gooc deal of sand
          will be shipped home +or disposal at a low level radioactive waste site.
          Depleted uranium is the problem.

          I--. Christmas and New Years here were cuiet.       Religious services were
          held. The Catholic Mass on Christmas Eve was neld a'- ::17t) hrs, before
          the Protestant Service at 230C, h-s.      Some e@:znanging of small gifts
          took peace, but most forms hao received gifts 4rcm name. varyl.-ici +ram
          durable items to clothing to games to food etc. The people in the PM
          community have remained well, and morale has been good. New cnallenges
          +ace those of us who have not been livino in the desert but who will
          soon.    Others have lived there for some time and seem to be very
          positive in their outlook.      Of Course. there is an::iety about the
          prospect a+ war and the inherent dangers.        The threat of SCUD missile
          attack is ever-present.      The Iraqis have launched several within their
          borders during the last month, and the resultant alerts called within
          our area always give one pause for reflection (after taking cover, a+
          course) .  Training about MOPF @.cj cieco.-itariina--ion are taken seriously.
          Over 140t'i U.S. and 9" Saudis completed the Course in Medical Management
          of Chemical Casualties gven by- the folks from USAMF%,ICD.        They did a
          good job and their strenuous efforts over i three month period are
          greatly appreciated.

          1". I remain well myself. I don't eat is much as I should (I usually
          forego Breakfast) but my weight has apparently stabilized somewhere
         between 15t) and 180 (wno knows' 1 haven't seen a scale since August')
          I feel fine. I gave myself my second naircu@, on Christmas Eve. it was
          anotner 1/16 of an inch cut. I don't know why I keep those combs I
          brought with me. Tne contractor who prepares our meals employs mostly
          Indian and Banglacc?slii cooks, supervised by our GI cooks. The other

Document 4 f:/Week-36/BX003205/OPERATION DESERT STORM UPDATE/update on operation desert shield 5 jan 91:01029715473747
Control Fields 17
File Room = sep96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-36
Box ID = BX003205
Unit = OTSG
Parent Organization = HSC
Folder Title = OPERATION DESERT STORM UPDATE
Folder Seq # = 41
Subject = UPDATE ON OPERATION DESERT SHIELD 5 JAN 91
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 = 02-JAN-1997