D. CHEMICAL DETECTION AND CHEMICAL INJURIES

Breaching Operations - Second Marine Division - Southwestern Kuwait
February 24, 1991

The following is an excerpt taken directly from "U.S. Marines in the Persian Gulf, 1990-1991: With the 2D Marine Division in Desert Shield and Desert Storm," an official report published in 1993 by the History and Museums Division, Headquarters, United States Marine Corps, Washington, D.C.

"The use of chemical munitions by the Iraqis had been expected, but happily had not yet occurred. At approximately 0656, the "Fox" chemical reconnaissance vehicle at Red 1 detected a "trace" of mustard gas, originally thought to be from a chemical mine. The alarm was quickly spread throughout the division. Since everyone had been to don his protective outer garments and boots the previous evening, it was only necessary to hurriedly pull on a gas-mask and protective gloves to attain MOPP level 4. A second "Fox" vehicle was sent to the area, and confirmed the presence of an agent that had probably been there a long time. Unknown in its origin, it was still sufficiently strong to cause blistering on the exposed arms of two AAV crewmen. Work continued on the clearance of the lanes, and MOPP level was reduced to 2 after about a half-hour."^[70]

Several issues are raised by this report. First, chemical mustard agent was detected by the FOX vehicles with the unit. Second, two marines were reportedly injured as a result of exposure to these agents. Third, it is highly unlikely that the chemical agents could have been there "a long time." These detection’s were made in southwestern Kuwait, an area not occupied by Iraq until after the invasion of Kuwait on August 2, 1990. Investigation by the Committee into this incident continues.

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