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                                                         B830
                                                         31 May gi

For use by the Head, Quality Control Branch, Materiel Division,
Marine Corps Logistics Base, Barstow

Subi:   TEST AND EVALUATION UNIT, WEST MASK TESTING
        ACCOMPLISHMENTS DURING DESERT SHIELD/DESERT STORM

BACKGROUND.   On 7 August l@gi, the Test and Evaluation Unit, West
was requested by I Marine Expeditionary Force  (MEF) to initiate a
TAD trip to Camp Pendleton, California to test unit's within its
command.   It was further requested by I MEF and approved by the
Storage and Distribution Directorate, Marine Corps Logistics
Base, Albany that support be provided in the most expeditious
timeframe possible.   This request was due to the continuing
unrest in Southwest Asia.   The Test and Evaluation Unit, West was
able to deploy to Camp Pendleton, California on 8 August iggi.

DISCUSSION.

1.   During Desert Shield/Desert Storm (8 August Igg~ through
ii January iggi)  the Test and Evaluation Unit, West was able to
test, repair and replace approximately 16,000   field protective
masks of various types at Camp Pendleton, California.
Additionally,  this unit deployed to Marine Corps Logistics Base,
Albany, Georgia to screen and return to stock for immediate
reissue approximately 3300 medium M17A2 Field Protective Masks.
An additional 4000 M17A2 Field Protective Masks were screened and
returned to stock at Marine Corps Logistics Base, Barstow.

2.   It is to be noted that during Desert Shield/Desert Storm the
Test and Evaluation Unit, West discovered several problems that
need to be addressed at higher echelons in the near future.   The
most significant points to be addressed are outlined as follows:

     a.  Re~erve Units.  It was discovered that almost all the
Reserve Units that the Test and Evaluation Unit, West made
liaison with, did not have M17A2 Field Protective Masks, but were
in possession of the older and outdated Ml7Ai's and in some
instances M17's.   Additionally, a number of the remaining Reserve
Units that did possess M17A2 Field Protective Masks had
implemented a Mask Identification Program that required the units
to spray paint Identification numbers directly on the faceblank
of the mask.   This rendered all the painted masks unserviceable.

     b.  Tariff Sizing.  During mask testing the Test and
Evaluation Unit, West encountered an unusually high number of

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