October 25, 2001

Many veterans of the Gulf War have expressed concern that their unexplained illnesses may have resulted from their experiences in that war. In response to veterans’ concerns, the Department of Defense established a task force in June 1995 to investigate incidents and circumstances relating to possible causes. The Special Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of Defense for Gulf War Illnesses assumed responsibility for these investigations on November 12, 1996. Effective April 5, 2001, the Special Assistant to the Under Secretary of Defense (Personnel and Readiness) for Gulf War Illnesses, Medical Readiness, and Military Deployments assumed continued responsibility for Gulf War issues.

Case Narratives are reports of what we know today about specific events that took place during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm of 1990 and 1991. This case narrative focuses on events that occurred during the war at Al Jubayl, Saudi Arabia. We published the original Al Jubayl case narrative on August 13, 1997. After publication, we received many comments from veterans and other concerned individuals about the narrative, especially about the investigation of the loud noise event. Veteran comments, new information, and the development of alternative scenarios to explain the loud noise event expanded the investigation of this event. We republished the narrative presenting the results of that investigation and analysis on February 22, 2001. Since that time, we have received no new information that changed the findings and assessments of the narrative, so this is a final report. However, if you believe you have information that may change this case narrative, please call:

Dr. J. Jarrett Clinton
Special Assistant to the Under Secretary of Defense (Personnel and Readiness)
for Gulf War Illnesses, Medical Readiness, and Military Deployments
US Department of Defense
2001134-0000002 Ver 3.0

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. METHODOLOGY

 

II. SUMMARY

A. Loud Noise Events

B. Scud Impact Event

C. Purple T-shirt Event

D. Environmental Factors

E. Medical Issues

 

III. NARRATIVE

A. Background

B History of Al Jubayl

C. Involved Units

1. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 24

2. US Coast Guard Port Security Unit 301

3. US Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team, Detachment 33

D. Investigation of the Loud Noise Event of January 19, 1991

1. January 19, 1991, Chronology

2. Identifying the Source of the Loud Noise

3. Weather Information

4. Air Force Research Laboratory’s Analysis of Al Jubayl Sonic Boom Data

5. Investigation of Iraq’s Alleged Attacks at Al Jubayl

a. Styx Missile Attack

(1) Rear Area Operations Center Radio Log

(2) Interviews of Key Personnel

(3) White Cloud

(4) Burning Skin

(5) Naval Operational Records

b. Iraq’s Aircraft Attack

(1) Iraq’s Development of Aerosolized (Dusty) Chemical Warfare Agents

(2) Penetration of Saudi Arabian Airspace

(3) Downing of Iraq’s Aircraft

(4) White Cloud and Burning Skin

6. Summary of Findings Related to the Loud Noise Event of January 19, 1991

a. Loud Noise

b. Iraq’s Alleged Styx Missile Attack

c. Iraq’s Alleged Aircraft Attack

d. Bright Flashes of Light

e. White Cloud and Mist

f. Burning Skin

E. Investigation of the Loud Noise Event of January 20-21, 1991

F. Investigation by the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence

1. Verification of Information

2. Identification of Military Units

3. New Information

a. Bright Flashes

b. Chemical Warfare Agent Detections

c. Aircraft Fuel Leak

d. Intelligence Report

4. Ministry of Defence Assessment

G. US Analyses of the Suspected Aircraft Fuel Leak

H. Scud Missile Impact

1. Scud Missile Recovery Operation

2. Summary of Findings of the Scud Impact Event

I. Purple T-shirt Event

1. Searching for the Cause

2. Summary of Findings of the Purple T-shirt Event

J. Environmental Factors and Other Related Topics

1. Background

2. Surrounding Land Use

3. Industrial Activities of Selected Industries Surrounding Camp 13

4. Monitoring of Airborne Contaminants

5. Environmental Regulatory History of Al Jubayl

6. Results of Other Investigations

7. Conclusions Regarding Environmental Factors at Al Jubayl

K. Medical Issues

 

IV. ASSESSMENT

A. Assessment of the Loud Noise Event of January 19, 1991

B. Assessment of the Loud Noise Event of January 20-21, 1991

C. Assessment of the Scud Impact Event of February 16, 1991

D. Assessment of the Purple T-shirt Event of March 19, 1991

 

V. LESSON LEARNED

 

TAB A - Acronyms, Abbreviations, and Glossary

 

TAB B - Units Located in or Deployed Through Al Jubayl

 

TAB C - Bibliography

 

TAB D - Methodology for Investigating Chemical Warfare Incidents

 

TAB E - Saudi Environmental Monitoring

 

TAB F - Monitoring Station Number One Air Quality Summaries

 

TAB G - Location of British Military Units in Al Jubayl

 

TAB H - Rear Area Operations Center (RAOC) Radio Log

 

TAB I - General Accounting Office Comments

 

TAB J - Changes in this Report

 

END NOTES