CHEMICAL TASK ORGANIZATION AND COMMAND AND CONTROL

File: 970924_sep96_decls9_0001.txt
Page: 0001
Total Pages: 4

Subject = CHEMICAL TASK ORGANIZATION AND COMMAND AND CONTROL              

Parent Organization = TRADOC      

Unit = TRADOC      

Folder Title = CHEMICAL DEFENSE ISSUES OBSERVATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS                                        

Document Number =          1

Box ID = BX002447








                 1. Issue: Chemical Task Organization and Command and Control.

                 015CU55ion: When Chemical companies are divided up and separated from
                 their HO element, the Olvi5ion lose5 that command and control element.
                 In some cases it cannot be avoided. IID was allocated 4 same type
                 platoons, 2 each from two different companies. One complete company
                 could have much better filled the need.


                 Recommendation: Task organize complete companies to divisions
                 whenever possible.

                 2. 15sue: Filter/Cani5ter Exchange.

                 Oi5cus5lon: No official guidance exists to account for hot and dry
                 weather in the mask TMs (reference filter/canister exchange). After
                 how many chemical attacks should soldier$ change fliter5/can!5ters9

                 Recommendation: Establish FSOP guidance for filter/can!5ter exchange,
                 or print it in the mask TM.

                 3. Issue: M2S8AI Kits.


                 Discussion: There is no documentation on the effectiveness of
                 performing skin decon with just a Number I packet. and 5aV!ng *he
                 Number 2 packet for equipment decon.

                 Reciymmendation: Establish guidance on using just a Number I packet
                 for skin decon. and the effectiveness of deconning this way versus
                 using both packets and versus the M291 Kit.

                 4. Issue: Ch"ical Downwind Messages

                 015CUSS!on:


                 a) CDM5 from VII CORPS were sent in two 12 hours segments, rather than
                 once every 6 hours. Also, CORPS COMs often did not relate to local
                 weather -- even during dust 5torm5i

                 b) During the ground combat phase, 24 Feb - I Mar 91. PCM coiqrno was
                 not possible due to the constant movement that prevented a PCM link.
                 As a back-up, CDMs were sent via Div O&I FM not. To cover these gap5,
                 one SOE NBC section used an Air Force Belt Weather Kit to construct
                 .one-line COM5" based an local weather observations. Each "one-lire
                 CDM' was effective for two hours and updated as needed.

                 Recommendations:


                 a) The Corps NBC Center should follow doctrinal procedures and measure
                 local weather data and issue COMs on a 6-hour basis.

                 b) Each BDE and separate BN NBC section should be authorized an Air
                 Force Belt Weather Kit to collect CDM info for those times when CDMs
                 are not available. A communication system which is not line-of-sight
                 dependent wl;l allow passing message traffic during high-5oeed, long
                 distance operations.

Document 4 f:/Week-64/BX002447/CHEMICAL DEFENSE ISSUES OBSERVATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS/chemical task organization and command and control:09229712012611
Control Fields 17
File Room = sep96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-64
Box ID = BX002447
Unit = TRADOC
Parent Organization = TRADOC
Folder Title = CHEMICAL DEFENSE ISSUES OBSERVATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Folder Seq # = 49
Subject = CHEMICAL TASK ORGANIZATION AND COMMAND AND CONTROL
Doc Seq # = 1
Doc Date =
Scan Date = 31-JUL-1997
Queued for Declassification = 01-AUG-1997
SAGWI Request = 01-JAN-1980
Long Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Permanent Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Non-Health Related Document = 01-JAN-1980
Declassified = 22-SEP-1997