COMMAND REPORT OP DESERT STORM 17JAN 91 THRU 17 MAR 91

File: 102496_aug96_decls1_0024.txt
Page: 0024
Total Pages: 36

Subject: COMMAND REPORT OP DESERT STORM  17JAN 91 THRU 17 MAR 91         

Unit: ARCENT      

Parent Organization: CENTCOM     

Box ID: BX000481

Folder Title: COMMAND REPORTS  244TH MEDICAL GROUP COMMAND REPORT                                             

Document Number:          1

Folder SEQ  #:         13





             MTFs lack of experience in patient preparation also contributed to
             failed missions (patient's medications, records, baggage not
             available when MRO notified of mission).         Once the Aeromedical
             Evacuation Liaison Team (AELT) was co-located with the Group MRO,
             the operation began to function more smoothly.              The AELT's
             knowledge of the aeromedical evacuation system and their experience
             with the same proved to be an invaluable asset.          The AELT also
             assisted in educating the Group's subordinate unit members in
             patient preparation for evacuation and movement to the staging
             areas.

                  There were sporadic breakdowns in the medical regulating
             system precipitated by MTF personnel failing to observe the
             regulating chain and process.       This was most apparent when the
             physicians dealt directly with JMRO, attempting to expedite patient
             regulation. Physicians also over classified patients in a bid to
             immediately evacuate a patient, even though it was not medically
             essential.

                  Communication assets for the MRO were never adequate.            The
             commercial line, which was the most compatible with subordinate
             MTFS, was not dedicated to this operation. When notifications were
             required, it was difficult and time consuming to make and receive
             the required calls. Momentary changes in estimated departure and
             arrival times of Med Evac missions also required prompt
             notification, which was not possible with the one available phone
             line.    Had the ground war produced signif icant casualties, a
             dedicated commercial line would have been made available.

                  The MRO operation required twenty four hour staffing.          This
lly manned by two officers and two NCO'S. The
             time consuming task of gathering required reports from MTFs and
             transmitting the same to JMRO and MEDCOM, in addition to the
             responsibility of the opportune coordination for patient movement
             exhausted the existing staff.         Two additional officers were
             assigned for augmentation of the staff. They received on the job
             training and were maximally employed.

                  There was a temporary shortage of patient evacuation forms
             (DD600, 601, and 602).     The MTFs brought a basic load which was
             quickly expended with no means of expediting reorder. Hospitals
             used reproductions of the forms until MEDCOM obtained and
             resupplied the forms.

                  Use of ambulance assets was refined throughout the operation.
             Some air and ground ambulance were prepositioned at KKIA for quick
             response to incoming Med Evac Missions.       There was also one air
             ambulance placed at 144th Evac Hospital (located at KKIA) .          One
             issue that remained troublesome was transporting excessive patient
             baggage which would not fit in the ambulance. This could have been
             more consequential had the ambulance assets been pressed to their
             limit. a vehicle available for baggage movement for each MTF would
             have been beneficial.

Document 36 f:/Week-32/BX000481/COMMAND REPORTS 244TH MEDICAL GROUP COMMAND REPORT/command report op desert storm 17jan 91 thru 17:1011961540112
Control Fields 17
File Room = aug96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-32
Box ID = BX000481
Unit = ARCENT
Parent Organization = CENTCOM
Folder Title = COMMAND REPORTS 244TH MEDICAL GROUP COMMAND REPORT
Folder Seq # = 13
Subject = COMMAND REPORT OP DESERT STORM 17JAN 91 THRU 17
Document Seq # = 1
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 = 11-OCT-1996