Air Force: Expect Civilian Deaths, Bad P.R.

Jan. 23 -- The Air Force is preparing to fly as many as 1,500 sorties a day if there is war with Iraq and is seriously concerned about the public relations backlash from an expected high level of collateral damage, according to a 104-page report, portions of which were obtained by ABCNEWS.

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The report, called "'PSAB CAOC Tiger Team: Interim Report and Recommendations," was commissioned last year to examine communication and staffing problems at the Combined Air Operations Command located at the Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, which would coordinate an air war against Iraq.

The report found "collateral damage concerns, the CNN effect and casualty aversion are all placing additional tensions on the CAOC." The so-called "CNN effect" is the ability of television viewers around the world to have ongoing, often real-time, access to coverage which was unavailable before the advent of cable news and improved satellite technology.

The Air Force report says the Saudis permitted only 350 additional personnel at the base during Operation Enduring Freedom, the Afghanistan Air War, and that at least 1,000 more personnel will be needed if war begins with Iraq.

But the report cautioned that even with the additional 1,000 personnel, there could still be problems.

"There's little room for error, no cushion for fog and friction," the report said.

The report also warns that fatigue and "requirements for collateral damage estimates" could wear out the Air Force personnel who worked 14- to 19-hour days "with no time off for 60 days" during the Afghanistan operation.

The report also found "significant confusion about roles, responsibilities and chain of command" throughout key areas within the CAOC. It blamed a lack of clear organization and training by commanders.

"For our premier USAF Weapons system we do not man our force smartly," the report said.