Case Narrative

Al Jaber Air Base

Case Narratives are reports of what we know today about specific events that took place during the Gulf War of 1990 and 1991. This particular case narrative focuses on a series of incidents during the 1st Marine Division efforts to capture Al Jaber Air Base, Kuwait. During February 24 through 26, 1991, Marines in the vicinity were advised on several occasions to don chemical protective equipment due to possible chemical agent exposure. This is an interim report, not a final report. We hope that you will read this and contact us with any information that would help us better understand the events reported here. With your help, we will be able to report more accurately on the events surrounding the capture of Al Jaber. Please contact my office to report any new information by calling:

1-800-472-6719

Bernard Rostker
Special Assistant for Gulf War Illnesses
Department of Defense

1997265-0000-017

Last Update: September 22, 1997

Many veterans of the Gulf War have been experiencing a variety of physical symptoms, collectively called Gulf War illnesses. In response to veterans’ concerns, the Department of Defense (DOD) established a task force in June 1995 to investigate all possible causes. On November 12, 1996, responsibility for these investigations was assumed by the Investigation and Analysis Directorate (IAD), Office of the Special Assistant for Gulf War Illnesses (OSAGWI), which has continued to investigate incidents at Al Jaber Air Base. Its interim report is contained here. This investigation grew out of Congressional hearings in 1993 which identified Al Jaber as the site of a Fox vehicle chemical weapons alert.

As part of the effort to inform the public about the progress of this effort, DOD is publishing (on the Internet and elsewhere) accounts related to possible causes of Gulf War illnesses, along with whatever documentary evidence or personal testimony was used in compiling these accounts. The narrative that follows is such an account.

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

METHODOLOGY
SUMMARY
NARRATIVE

Background
Al Jaber During Desert Shield (August 7, 1990 - January 16, 1991)
Coalition Planning and Actions
Five Chemical Alerts on the Night of 24/25 February
Continued Attempts to Take Al Jaber
The 1800 Hours Alert on February 25th
The Fox Alert
The Initial Alert
Fox Capabilities
Reporting the Alert
Attempts at Confirmation
Analysis of the Fox Tape
Other Relevant Log Entries
Cleanup of Al Jaber

Analysis of the Incidents
Analysis of Iraqi Chemical Weapons Capabilities
Fox Detection and Confirmation
Other attempts at Confirmation
ASSESSMENT

TAB A - Acronyms Listing Glossary
TAB B - Units Involved
TAB C - Bibliography
TAB D - Methodology For Chemical Incident Investigation
TAB E - Chronology Extracts
END NOTES

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