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TOPIC AREA: EQUIPMENT STANDARDIZATION / AE KITS, etc. 
 
SUBMITTED BY: HQ AFRES/SGXO 
 
ISSUE: Environmental control capability must be available in aeromedical 
evacuation warehouses used to store medical items. 
 
OBSERVATION: Sufficient warehouse space was made available in aircraft hangars 
at RAF Upper Heyford; however, total control of the environment was not 
possible. 
 
DISCUSSION: The warehouse made available to store medical supplies was cold, 
sometimes damp, and had little to no environmental control capability. Heat was 
provided by using aerospace ground equipment (AGE). The AGE units, sufficient 
for moderate temperatures, had to be turned off when the warehouse was unmanned. 
Due to the limited number of medical supply personnel assigned it was not 
practical to staff the medical supply section on a 24 hour basis It was 
necessary to check the warehouse on cold nights periodically and start the 
heating units as required so that some liquid items did not freeze. 
 
I~PACT: The life expectancy of supplies and equipment may be altered due to 
extreme changes in temperature and humidity. This causes unnecessary expenditure 
of funds for early replacement and restocking. 
 
RECOMMENDATION: Although the warehouse proved adequate most of the time, it is 
essential that the ability to control the climate in the warehouse be considered 
as a requirement before a facility is approved. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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