File: 970903_oct1_0056.txt
Page: 0056
Total Pages: 106

NBC Defense

(S) Reports of chen-tical contan-Liriation and attacks were conunon but never
verified. It is clear that if agents were present in the Marine Corps sector, they were
tactically insignificant. Reports of agent contari-ination forced Marines into MOPP IV on
many occasions. However, because of cool rainy weather, MOPP was more of an
annoyance than a problem. Marines, confident in their NBC equipment, had greater
concern for Iraqi mines and artillery.

(S) While in MOPP, degradation to individual performance was caused by
narrowing field of vision from the protective mask, problems with comfortable sighting
of weapons, and hinderance to full body movement from bulky overgarments. Although
simply wearing full MOPP slowed individual n-dssion accomplishxnenc rates. Unit
degradation was not noticed to be greatly affected. Training had made going in and
out of MOPP instinctive to the Marines.

(S) NBC defense measures were tested to the maximum extent possible in SWA,
short of full scale use of chemical weapons by Iraq. The Marine Corps must now strive
to maintain its high level of NBC readiness and address the major issues that adversely
effect maneuver warfare and MAGT-V operations in a chemical environment.

(S) B. Major Findinzs. The following are considered the most significant findings
under each major study category.

(U) 1. NBC Organization

(U) Adequacy of unit T/0's and manning for NBC defense operations needs to be
studied in derail with amplification on organizational lessons learned by I MEF on
provisional NBC team formation and potential for mission success.

(U) The Marine Corps policy of using additional duty NBC teams for
decontamination at company and squadron levels was not feasible to commanders and
therefore not implemented in SWA.

(U) The Marine Corps has not established a visible focal point for NBC defense
policy and joint coordination. NBC defense responsibilities and relationships within the
Marine Corps and in the joint arena need clarification.

(U) Many NBC officers perceive that their rank is not conunensurate with
assigned responsibilities and in some instances hinders their ability for effective staff
action.