TASK FORCE III DESERT SHIELD/STORM

File: aaacf_26.txt
Page: 26
Total Pages: 273
Appendix C 
 
Use of Stimulant/Sedative Medications 
("Go"/"No-go" Pills) 
 
Background: Stimulant medications (Dexedrine 5 ma. or recently caffeine 200 
mg.) were first used in SAC in 1960 and TAC in 1962. No formal data gathering 
has occurred; however, no problems with the use of these or sedative medications 
have been reported over the period of use. All TAC aircrews are ground tested 
with 5 mg Dexedrine and also 30 mg of the sedative temazepam. SAC does not use 
stimulants, but has authorized temazepam in single/dual seat aircraft. 
Following Desert Storm, HQ TAC/SGPA, with the support of TAG/DO, 
conducted an anonymous survey of deployed fighter pilots. 464 surveys were 
returned which is approximately a 43% return rate. 
 
Results: Desert Shield 
	65% of respondents used "Go pills" on the deployment. Only 43% of those
had used "Go pills" on a previous deployment. In some units, usage was as high 
as 83%. 
	Desert Storm 
	57% of respondents used "Go pills" at some time (17% routinely, 58% 
occasionally, 25% only once). Within individual units, usage varied from 3% to 
96%, with higher usage in units tasked for sustained combat air patrol (CAP) 
missions. Usage was closely correlated to mission demands and personal 
fatigue. 
	61% of those who used "Go pills" found them essential to mission 
accomplishment. High risk times were on the tanker or returning to base after a 
strike mission. 
	There were no adverse side effects reported. "Go pills" were suspected in 1 
case of nausea, 2 cases of jitteriness, and 1 case of "spatial disorientation" in 
instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). 
	The typical mission profiles surrounding usage were 6 to 8 hour sorties 
with double or triple turns, duty days in excess of 14 hours for 38% of respondents 
and interval crew rest less than 6 hours in 23%. 
	Two hundred sixty nine (269) pilots responded regarding the use of "No-go" 
medications for a return rate of approximately 25%. 54% of the respondents 
reported using "No-go" pills at some time in the deployment. Most frequent 
reasons given for use were too much noise and difficulty getting "unwired" after a 
				mission.