File: 970903_oct1_0049.txt
Page: 0049
Total Pages: 106

NBC Defense

(S) Aviators also experienced problems %,vich.protective masks. Aviacors wearing
the AR-5 aviators mask surfaced issues that included: hot spots and nose cup digging
into nose on long flights; hoses catching on the "cl-dcken plate" when tookiig to the left
side; and fogging of mask tenses when blowers were turned off at attitudes below
10,000 feet. Conunents from aviators indicated that the A.P-5 was a good mask but
needed improvement.

(S) The MEF eventually had four different cherrdcal protective suits in use by
forces under its command. The Marine Corps Standard Protective Overgarment
(OG84), the Navy Lightwe;ght Suit (MK 111) wom by the Naval Construction Regiment,
The Aviators Chemical Ensemble, and the British Ughtweight Suit (MK IV). All these
suits were used widely throughout the MEF and personnel were confident in the ability
of their protective suit to protect (see Appendix E-12). However, protective suits were
a continual source of confusion and concern among NBC officers and corrlmanders in
the MEF. For instance, most units were struggling to insure all personnel maintained
at least one good suit during operations in SWA. This was compounded by suit break-
our during scud alerts and for training. Units were attempting to achieve a two suit per
man capability prior to G-day. Even two suits per man was not sufficient to bring
Marine units up to established T/E requirements for four suits per man and projections
from MCPDAC and the Pentagon indicated to MEF NBC officers that if chemicals were
extensively employed six suits per man could be required. MPS ships reportedly had an
additional 45,000 protective overgarment onboard but this was not enough to meet
projected requirements of the MEF.

(S) The Marine Corps looked at alternatives to solving this suit problem. As
early as September 1990, HQMC(LRCC) established there was an ur2@nt requirement
for a new "lightweight suit" to reduce hear stress for forces in SWA.D'K By the end of
October 1990, MCRDAC reported co the MEF NBC officers that 73,000 British MKIV
suits were purchased and would be delivered for their use in-counrty, from September
90 through February 91. They were also fifforrned that 135,000 new desert camouflage
"Saratoga@'cheniical protective suits were also procured, with deliveries planned from
March 91 through November 91.

(S) initial British Suit shipments began arriving to the MEF in October and new
concertos began to arise on the credibility and reliability of irdonnation on the British
MKRV suit technical performance in comparison to fielded OG84 protective suits.
Confusion on suit performance capabilities was influenced by the contradictory
information from MCRDAC, CINCCENT and the British on the capabilities of the MIQV.
Differing claims forced the MEF G-3 to officially request a Marine Corps position from

54HQMC(LRCC) brief, Sept 91