File: 970903_oct1_0027.txt
Page: 0027
Total Pages: 106

NBC Defense

analysis capabilities were superior to the other dete .ction systems in the MEF. its
onboard mass spectrometer was programmed to detect very low concentrations of more
than 60 different toxic chercticals. Marine team were trained at both the US Army
Chemical School and in Germany, to operate the ten Fox vel-dcles provided to (he MEF.
One Fox was attached to ( MEF (Rear) in Jubayl to recon potential industrial leaks Ind
Scud impact sites. The other nine were in general support to the ist and 2d MAPDFV,
down to the task force/regimental level.

(S) A major concern, especially among the Fox crews, was vehicle recognition.
The Fox, in appearance, was very similar to a Soviet BTR-60. One noted incident
occurred when Fox vehicles went on an unescorted n-dssion. Upon return to perimeter
lines, TOW gunners were airr@ng, tracking, and ready to fire. After this incident, Fox
vehicles were escorted forward of lines. The Divisions made a great effort to get
vehicle recognition cards distributed and demonstrate the Fox to all Marines.

(S) During the breaching operation, Fox vehicles advanced behind the initial
armored columns, just ahead of the first groups of light skinned vehicles. its mission
was to mor@tor and identify any cherrdcal agents in the breach. The Fox is capable of
on-the-move detection at low speeds (5 mph), and requires a few minutes to obtain a
good spectral read out on an agent. However, during rapid movement through the
breach, the Fox was less reliable. inability to stop in the breach and conduct analysis,
or to go back and couect samples for confirmation, left a great deal of doubt in the
rr@nds of many about whether agents were really present when they were detected by
the Fox in the breach.

(S) After cessation of offensive operations, the Fox vehicles were used frentiencly
to recon suspected chemical munitions storage bunkers and chen-dcal filling sitesy6
While on recon missions the Fox teams detected low levels of agent contamination
around bunkers and suspected agent storage sites. On one Fox mission, the 2d MARD[V
Fox teams actuauy collected agent ground samples from a contaminated ground area at
a possible cherrdcal munitions filling site located in their Tactical Area Of Responsibility
(TAOR). These samples were passed through proper chain of custody, to the Joint
Electronic Warfare/Joint Captured Material Exploitation Center (JCMEC), for
confirmation analysis at the US Army, Chemical Research Development and Engineering
Center, but apparently the laboratory results were never received by 2d MAPDIV.

(S) To commanders the Fox was appreciated most for its ability to rapidly
detern-Line if agent vapors were in an area. This capability contributed greatly to

2 (@ACCLS Tape #'s 434, 456, 678, and 1382