THE USE OF AMPHETAMINES IN US AIR-FORCE TACTICAL OPERATIONS DURING DESERT SHIELD AND STORM

Today's battleground requires round-the-clock air support, Modern airc raft systems enable tactical aircraft to be flown in all weather condi tions, day or night, and for prolonged periods, U.S. Air Force Tactica l Air Command (TAG) aircrew who deployed to the Southwest Asia Area of Responsibility (SWA AOR) for Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm wer e retrospectively surveyed to determine the extent and effectiveness o f dextroamphetamine use in support of sustained flying operations, Sur veys were sent in May 1991 to each tactical squadron that participated in Desert Storm, Of pilots who were surveyed, 65% used amphetamines d uring the deployment to the SWA AOR and/ or during Operation Desert St orm, Pilots who used amphetamines in air operations described it as '' occasional.'' The most frequent indications for amphetamine use were ' 'aircrew fatigue'' and ''mission type,'' Of pilots who used amphetamin es, 58-61% considered their use beneficial or essential to operations, Dextroamphetamine (5 mg every 4 h) was used effectively and without m ajor side effects in tactical flying operations, Amphetamine use enhan ced cockpit performance and flight safety by reducing the effect of fa tigue during critical stages of flight.