Cambodian airlift

Abstract

To reduce the presence of U.S. military personnel in Cambodia, the Air Force, in September, 1974, completed negotiations with a civilian contractor to continue the emergency airlift of supplies and ammunition to that country. As the Khmer Rouge threat increased on the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh, the airlift was expanded and the supply sorties increased. Because fatigue was a potential medical problem for the crews--they were required to fly excessive hours with little time off between 13 Jan. and 13 March, 1975--a flight surgeon was assigned to the company. The flight surgeon monitored the men by subjective evaluation, several physiological and hematological measurements, and anonymous questionnaires. Although none of the factors correlated with subjective fatigue or performance decrement, recommendations for aircrewmen flying emergency airlift operations in the future were made based upon this unique experience.