CENTAF OPERATIONS SHELTER PROCEDURES AND MOPP ALPHA

File: aabnz_01.txt
Page: 01
Total Pages: 3
         SUBJECT:  CENTAF OPERATIONS SHELTER PROCEDURES AND MOPP ALPHA

         SUMMARY:  PROVIDES CHEMICAL SHELTER PROCEDURES AND MOPP ALPHA

         FROM: DO                                           26 Jan 91.
        
        SUBJECT: Shelter Procedures and MOPP Alpha
        TO: All Personnel
        
        1. We have had a number of inquiries whether or not it is
        necessary to carry a "C" bag when going to the shelter at Alarm
        Red or SCUD Alert. The answer is a "qualified yes."
        
        2. We cannot as yet say with 100% certainty that a chemical
        attack on Riyadh will not happen. Though Iraq has not yet
        demonstrated the capability to deliver chemical munitions with
        SCUDS, the technical capability remains the same and the
        possibility of a chemical SCUD attack cannot be totally
        discounted. Conversely, we are 100% sure that Iraq possesses the
        capability to deliver chemical agents using aircraft as the
        delivery platform. Failure to have the full ensemble readily
        available could result in our sustaining otherwise avoidable
        casualties. Several factors dictate that this is especially true
        when going to the shelter.
        
        a. Some personnel are identified as "post-attack
        mission essential." They stop short of the overpressurized,
        filtered portion of the shelter and return to their duty station
        as soon as an Alarm Black is broadcast.
        
        b. Other personnel are identified as "support" and do
        enter the overpressurized, filtered shelter area.
                                [(b)(1) sec 3 4 (b)(4)]
          There is also the possibility, however slight, that
        personnel may have to leave the shelter for emergency reasons and
        transit a contaminated area.
        
        c. There is no guarantee that a SCUD or Air Raid
        warning will be made in time for all personnel going to the
        shelter to get there prior to impact or weapons delivery.
        
        3. The qualifiers attached to this "qualified yes" are:
        
        a. A full "C" bag is not required; only one ensemble.
        This means in addition to the mask, gloves, M8 paper, M9 tape and
        Decon Kit (which can all be in or attached to the mask carrier),
        all that is required to be carried in a bag is one protective
        suit and one pair of overboots.