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OPERATIONS DESERT SHIELD & DESERT STORM 
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH 
POST-DEPLOYMENT WORKSHOP SUMMARY 
 
I. INTRODUCTION. 
 
1. HQ TAC/SG sponsored a workshop at Langley AFB Virginia on 2 -3 
May 1991. The purpose of this gathering was to discuss the lessons 
learned during Operations DESERT SHIELD/DESERT STORM about 
environmental health and patient decontamination issues. The workshop 
attendee list and agenda are attached. 
 
2. Only brief descriptions of the problems discussed and actions 
required are given in this document. More detailed information can be 
found in TAC/SGPM special reports on food safety and disease data 
that will be included in the final TAC/SG after action report. 
 
II. PROBLEMS/CONCERNS IDENTIFIED: 
 
1. ATH Organization: There was some confusion about the chain of 
command regarding Environmental Health (EH), Bioenvironmental 
Engineering (BEE) and (when present) the Chief, Aeromedical 
Services. In the absence of a Chief, Aeromedical Services, the OIC 
of EH should report to the ATH commander. In some cases the ATH 
commander may make either the BEE or EHO the chief of both sections. 
, 
2. Manning Issues: 
 
a. EH manning on the Air Transportable Hospital (ATH), Unit 
Type Codes (UTC) FFGK5 and FFGK2, was considered adequate and no 
changes were recommended. 
 
b. Patient Decontamination Team (UTC FFGLB) manning was 
considered appropriate and no changes recommended. Furthermore, 
technical expertise will be adequate even if 907X0s are withdrawn as 
is proposed by HQ TAC/SGPB. 
 
c. Home Base Residual Staffing: There were insufficient 
experienced personnel remaining at TAC MTFs because of mobility 
tasking and Air Reserve Component backfills were not all adequately 
trained in peacetime EH tasks to take over. The new EH manpower 
standard (2nd officer) will help prevent a recurrence of this 
situation. HQ TAC can redistribute 2nd officers to bases in need. 
 
3. SME/ATC (UTC FFDAB) Support: TAC Regulation 400-10 requires 
that a 907X0 and a 908X0 be assigned when ATCs are deployed to 
bare base operations. This is excellent guidance and should have 
driven the assignment of 907s and 908s rather than the foodborne 
illness outbreaks. 
 
4. Command Guidance: Some AF approved food sources were 
 

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