Summary: Because of the high number of U.S. casualties expected during the Persian Gulf war, the Army shipped 23,000 medical personnel and millions of dollars in medical supplies to the region. The Army had to overcome significant problems to make medical units operational before the start of the ground war, including (1) inadequate data in the personnel information systems used to identify doctors and nurses for active duty assignments and (2) a lack of peacetime training to prepare doctors and nurses for their wartime roles. The Army also faced equipment and other logistical support problems. For example, even with a massive effort to field equipment and supplies to hospital units, many did not receive equipment or received only partial shipments. Equipment and transportation shortages also affected hospital mobility, and the evacuation of casualties was hampered by long distances, poor communications, and a lack of navigational equipment. Had the war started earlier or lasted longer or had the predicted number of casualties occurred, the Army's ability to provide adequate care would have been doubtful.
