TASK FORCE III DESERT SHIELD/STORM

File: aaacf_169.txt
Page: 169
Total Pages: 273
DESERT SHIELD/STORM LESSONS LEARNED REPORT #G 
 
POC: J. HERBERTSON/SGR/6490 
TITLE: Inaccurate Requirements 
 
OBSERVATION: There is a great need for better coordination between the major air 
commands and the medical treatment facilities concerning backfill requirements. 
 
DISCUSSION: Backfill requirements for MTFs were a consistent point of confusion 
throughout Operation Desert Shield/Storm, both for the volunteer backfill program 
and the IMA call-up and mobilization. The MAJCOM would give us a number of 
requirements for an AFSC, but the MTF would tell us that less or more slots were 
needed. The following reflects some specific examples: 
	a. SG received requirements for operating room personnel but the MTF concerned 
did not have a functioning operating room due to a military construction project.
 
	b. HQ TAC did not coordinate fill actions between volunteer, involuntary IMA, 
IRR, and retired regular resources. This resulted in overmanning. Apparently, TAC 
did not evaluate the effectiveness of the volunteer program 
on a regular basis. The involuntary fills were not counted 
against the voluntary requirements. Again, this resulted 
in overmanning.
 
	c. Although certain requirements were deleted at a MTF, instructions from TAC 
were to allow volunteers filling those requirements to continue their tours. This, 
again, resulted in overmanning.
 
	d. MAJCOMS apparently did not review resources as they 
were used. Resources came from several sources (i.e., 
AFRES, ANG, Palace Trip, IMA) and their utilization was not 
monitored to match bodies with requirements. For example, 
Palace Trip personnel were assigned to facilities where 
AFRES, ANG, or IMA personnel had already filled the 
requirements.
 
	e. HQ USAF/SGHR began mobilizing the PIM prior to exhausting the resources 
available in AFRES, ANG, and IMA programs.
 
	f. HQ ARPC/SG experienced many instances where the medical treatment facility 
would call SG complaining about overmanning or requesting backfill resources. 
 
LESSONS LEARNED: Backfill requirements need to be better coordinated by the MAJCOMs 
and HQ USAF. 
 
RECOMMENDED ACTIONS: MAJCOMS need to more thoroughly coordinate backfill 
requirements with their MTFs. These