File: 970903_oct1_0026.txt
Page: 0026
Total Pages: 106

NBC L)el'ciise

for area reconnaissance and for checking personnel and equipment for contamination.
Marines used the CAM tactically as their principal unit automatic alarm. It was often
used for continuous environmental sampling, by switching between nerve and mustard
detection modes. The CAM had nany false alarms Like the M8AI, and requires
additional study of its performance problems. Many false alarms were attributable to
improper preventive maintenance, insufficient warm-up time, and inadequate craining
on operational employment. Most NBC specialists had only self-miriing on the CAM.
Overall, NBC specialists were very satisfied with the CAM and complained most of not
having enough at the battalion level. Most NBC specialists stated an infantry battalion
required at least six CAM'S.

(S) The M21, Remote Sensing Chemical Agent Alarm (RSCAAL), is a passive fR
stand-off agent detector, capable of continuous monitoring for nerve and mustard agent
clouds out to a 5 Km range. Only four M21's were employed with I MEF forces, two
with each division. Most employment data on the M21 came from the 2d MARDEV. ist
MAP,Div experienced problenls finding replacement parts for their M21's and d-ds may
have lin-ticed the M21's urihty. 2d MARDRV, on the o&.er hand, had few problems with
maintenance and used the M21 extensively. OriginaUy, 2d MARDIV planned to employ
the M21 during breaching operations to overmatch for chemical attack. The
requirement for stationary tripod operation and collocation of a vehicle to provide
powe- prompted concern for potential disclosure of intended breach sites. As a result,
the M21's were relegated co the 2d MAFLDFV CP to wam of approaching upwind agent
vapors. in this role, the M21 pe--formed well and clearly demonstrated its major
benefits of providing early stand-off agent warning and large area scan coverage.

(S) The M21 proved to be reliable, easy to maintain, easy to employ, and had a
low false alarm rate. 2d MARDFV NBC officers stated their was only one instance of an
unconfirmed detection for the M21. In this case, two M21 detectors were set side by
side, each covering a 60 degree scan, with a view towards Iraqi lines. The day was
clear with a cross wind blowing towards Iraqi positions. One M21 picked up a reading
of mustard agent in its sector, at a range between 3@5 knL The other immediately
picked up the same reading as the cross wind drove the unknown vapor cloud into its
sector. The M21 was developed specifically not to respond to common battlefield
substances, such as oil smoke and fuels. other than nerve and mustard agents, it is
only programmed to respond to sulfur hexafluoride (SP6) as a simulant. It is unlikely
that two M21's would false alarm at the same time. To improve the employment utility
of the M21, 2d MAPDEV attempted to fabricate an M21 vehicle mount for the Fox
NBCRS, described next.

(S) The MEF obtained ten German Fuchs (Fox), NBC Reconnaissance Systems
(NBCRS), with Marine Corps crews (see photograph, Appendix G-4). Its detection and