AAR DESERT STORM 15 MAR 91

File: 110596_aug96_decls4_0011.txt
Page: 0011
Total Pages: 17

Subject: AAR DESERT STORM  15 MAR 91                                     

Unit: 22D SUPCOM  

Parent Organization: ARCENT      

Box ID: BX005153

Folder Title: SAUDI ARABIAN AGRI AND DIARY CO LTD                                                             

Document Number:          8

Folder SEQ  #:          5









        TAB F Commander's Narrative To 73d Med Det DS/DS AAR

           This deployment generally made good use of this small
        veterinary service team. Earlier deployment to the field as a
        unit would have made better use of it. A shortage of veterinary
        personnel to inspect rations at the port and perform initial
        sanitary inspections precluded this.
           The use of a JA Team to support GSUS, DSUS, and Class I sites
        in support of multiple divisions worked quite well. The large
        geographic areas covered such as AA Vidalia and Log Base Charlie
        did stress personnel and vehicle assets, especially when the unit
        had only 3 food inspectors or when a vehicle was down for
        repairs.   The team had to be aggressive in finding maintenance
        support for vehicles. It was only by scavenging, pleading, and
        trading that the vehicles were kept operational.
           Locating Class I sites and informing them of available
        veterinary support was an important priority. An information
        paper (Encl 4) brought our presence to the attention of the 24th
        Infantry Division and resulted in many requests for support.
           Despite not having identified any major problems with
        operational rations, it was important for veterinary units to be
        in the field. our presence gave commanders, medical personnel,
        Class I site personnel, and all troops confidence that we were
        looking out for them. The lower quality of Class A rations and
        limited refrigeration presented the very real possibility of
        foodborne illness. The 73d made contributions to the low
        incidence of foodborne illness by being on location when ration
        problems arose and by the prevention of ration problems through
        storage and use recommendations.
           The use of MORE rations was very successful. They tasted
        great, offered a wide selection, and held up well. Their
 troops was extremely high. Certainly, these
        shorter shelf-life products should be used in the future to
        extend the supply of operational rations when circumstances
        allow.
           The most disappointing aspect of the use of this JA team was
        the missed opportunities to provide animal care to the population
        of mascots that were present in theater. ARCENT policy forbade
        mascots, however, in reality, they were everywhere.      Mascots,
        mainly puppies and a few young cats, were an enormous boost to
        the morale of soldiers in the field. In my opinion, if given
        routine veterinary care, the mascots would represent no more of a
        threat to the health of the troops than home pets do. The
        Veterinary Corps could have taken a proactive stance, helping
        ensure the health of these mascots while contributing to the
        mental health of the troops, through a vaccinating, deworming,
        and general care program for the mascots. Instead, Veterinary
        Corps recommendations resulted in an ineffective and widely
        ignored policy forbidding mascots, costing the Corps credibility
        in the area of desease prevention and excellent training
        opportunities for Animal Care Specialists and Veterinary Corps
        officers. At least 20 requests for vaccinations and health
        certificates were received by this unit.   Had we been allowed to
        render mascot care, this number woudd have tripled.

Document 17 f:/Week-34/BX005153/SAUDI ARABIAN AGRI AND DIARY CO LTD/aar desert storm 15 mar 91:11049609130030
Control Fields 17
File Room = aug96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-34
Box ID = BX005153
Unit = 22D SUPCOM
Parent Organization = ARCENT
Folder Title = SAUDI ARABIAN AGRI AND DIARY CO LTD
Folder Seq # = 5
Subject = AAR DESERT STORM 15 MAR 91
Document Seq # = 8
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 = 04-NOV-1996