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                                                                                                 NBC Defensc




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                       o NBC specialists were well trained for operations in SWA but felt strongly that
               their primary MOS schooling needed to be expanded with emphasis on supply, MIMMS,
               and the cherr@cal/biological warfare aspects of NBC defense.

                       o Indications are that Navy medical personnel were nor adequately trained for
               NBC defense operations in SWA.

                       NBC Materiel and Logistics

                       o Water transport and storage were key limitations for NBC operations and
               illun-Linated shortfalls in maneuver warfare supported by long logistical lines.

                       o Lack of an effective MEF supply focal point early in the war led to loss of
               supply discipline and visibility into uriic NBC equipment readiness.

                       o Marine Corps PWR, MPS, and T/E requirements for all NBC equipment items
               need to be critically reviewed.

                       o The British LightweighE Suit offered advantages over the OG-84 protective suit
               th.rough reduced weight and bulk. However, it offered significantly less protection from
               agents and lower durability. Weight and bulk reduction were the most important
               factors to front-Line conunandez in SWA.

                       o The failure of Albany to fill critical backorder demands for over 100,000
               protective suits (OG-8,Vs) was a major concern to the MEF and should be looked into.

                       o Issuance and control of NBC medicants was a major problen-r, not well resolved
               by the end of the war.

                       In conclusion, Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical warfare was a very significant
               aspect of Desert Sliield and Desert Sto m Expectations were that Iraq had the means
               and will to employ chen-dcal agents against Marine forces. Conu-nand attention and
               support at all levels was insn7umenral in acl-@eying the high level of t4BC readiness for
               Marines going into the ground war. Tra'u '=g in equipment confidence gave Marines the
               edge they needed to fight and win in a chemical threat environment. NBC defensive
               measures were tested to the maximum extent possible shor-c of tactical use of chemical
               agents by Iraq.

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