File: 970903_oct1_0054.txt
Page: 0054
Total Pages: 106

NBC Defense

deployment and were farailiar with its employment. Three new medicants were
introduced for the first time in SWA: CANA, CIPRO and NAPP. Convulsant Antidote for
Nerve Agents (CANA), commonly known as a controlled drug diazepam (Valium), was
fielded for buddy use to counter suffering from severe symptoms of nerve agent
poisoning. Ciprofloxacin (CIPRO), a strong antibiotic, was fielded to protect against
biological agents. Nerve Agent Pyridostigmine Pre-Treatment Tablets (NAPP), increases
the effectiveness of pralido)dme chloride in the MKI NAAP. One of the major success of
Deser( Storm was the rapid deployinene and promulgation of CANA, NAPP and CIPRO
prophylaxis.55

(S) The greatest NBC-related medical issue was the deterraination of
responsibility for procurement and issue of NBC medicants. The 2d MAPD[V
detem-dned i, a supply function. The MEF policy was that ur-dt commanders would treat
the issue of all medicants as they did issuing of a weapon. Units were co issue
medicants by Fquipment Custody Record (ECR) card, and maintain positive control.
The fear was not of concern for misuse but to ensure medicants were available when
needed and not discarded. Some units handled this better than others. There were
many stories about Marines losing medicanes or nor taking medicants because of
concern over possible side effects.

(S) The side effects of pills and antidote shots was poorly understood by all, to
include some in the medical conunurdry. Many flying squadrons were concerned about
potential side effects while flying. Many were concerned that the use of these drugs
was not always being documented in their medical records. Handling medicants after
issue was a difficult thing for some Marines. The 2d MARDIV surgeon related that
Marines at supply issue points were spreading nunors that the medicants would cause
cancer or sterility. The media sensationalized the issue with comparisons to agent
orange L-i VietnarrL These comments did little to instul confidence in medicanrs, as
reflected in the mediocre survey performance rating for new medicanes NAPP and
CIPRO (see Appendix E-14). Consequently, Marines discarded many pre-treatment pills.
At the end of the war, in spite of earlie- guidance, NBC specialists had to collect all
medicants for tum-in to medical. The issue of who is responsible for order, issue, and
resupply of NBC medicants needs to be resolved.

(U) b. ConcItLsions
)@,r (45) 7

55MCCLS Tape #'s 84 and 85