TAB A - Acronym Listing/Glossary
This TAB provides a listing of acronyms found
in this report. Additionally, the glossary section provides
definitions for selected technical terms which are not found in
common usage.
Acronyms
ACR................................................................................Armored Cavalry Regiment
ASP...................................................................................Ammunition Storage Point
BDA.................................................................................Bomb Damage Assessment
BIP.....................................................................................................Blown In Place
Bn................................................................................................................Battalion
Bde ...............................................................................................................Brigade
BW .............................................................................................Biological Weapon
CBW......................................................................Chemical or Biological Weapons
CDR .......................................................................................................Commander
CIA ................................................................................Central Intelligence Agency
CONUS ............................................................................Continential United States
CP .....................................................................................................Command Post
CS ...............................................................................................................Tear Gas
CW............................................................................................... Chemical Weapon
DIA ..............................................................................Defense Intelligence Agency
DoD ......................................................................................Department of Defense
EOD ..........................................................................Explosive Ordnance Disposal
FAB-500/250......................................... A type of Russian 500 or 250 kg HE bomb
FDA ..........................................................................Food and Drug Administration
FMIB ...........................................................Foreign Material Intelligence Battalion
GA ...............................................................................................Tabun nerve agent
GB .................................................................................................Sarin nerve agent
GP................................................................................................... General Purpose
H.......................................................................................... Mustard chemical agent
HD....................................................................................... Mustard chemical agent
HE..................................................................................................... High Explosive
HHC......................................................... Headquarters and Headquarters Company
Humvee .....................................................A type of four wheel drive utility vehicle
IAD...................................................................Investigations and Analysis Division
IC ..........................................................................................Intelligence Community
JCMEC .................................................Joint Captured Material Exploitation Center
KTO ............................................................................Kuwait Theater of Operations
LNO ....................................................................................................Liason Officer
(m) ...........................................................................................................Micrometer
Mk-82/83/84....A family of US 500lb, 1,000lb, and 2,000lb general purpose bombs
MI.............................................................................................. Military Intelligence
MOPP............................................................... Mission Oriented Protective Posture
MOS........................................................................ Military Occupational Specialty
SITREP............................................................................................ Situation Report
SW............................................................................................................. Southwest
UCMJ .................................................................Uniformed Code of Military Justice
UN ......................................................................................................United Nations
UNSCOM .........................................................United Nations Special Commission
USAF ...................................................................................................US Air Force
USSR................................................................ Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
VX ...........................................................................................A type of nerve agent
WP............................................................................................. White Phosphorous
Signs and Symptoms: Incubation period is 1-6 days. Fever, malaise, fatigue, cough and mild chest discomfort is followed by severe respiratory distress with dyspnea, diaphoresis, stridor, and cyanosis. Shock and death can occur within 24-36 hours of severe symptoms.[76]
Overview: Bacillus anthracis is a rod-shaped, gram-positive, sporulating organism, the spores constituting the usual infective form. Anthrax is a zoonotic disease with cattle, sheep and horses being the chief domesticated animal hosts, but other animals may be infected. The disease may be contracted by the handling of contaminated hair, wool, hides, flesh, blood and excreta of infected animals and from manufactured products such as bone meal, as well as by purposeful dissemination of spores. Transmission is made through scratches or abrasions of the skin, wounds, inhalation of spores, eating insufficiently cooked infected meat, or by flies. All human populations are susceptible. Recovery from a mild exposure to the disease may be followed by immunity. The spores are very stable and may remain viable for many years in soil and water. They can resist sunlight for varying periods of time.[77]
Biological Toxins:
Toxins are defined as any toxic substance of natural origin produced by an animal, plant, or microbe. They are different from chemical agents such as VX, cyanide, or mustard in that they are not man-made. They are non-volatile, are usually not dermally active (mycotoxins are an exception), and tend to be more toxic per weight than many chemical agents. Their lack of volatility also distinguishes them from many of the chemical threat agents, and is very important in that they would not be either a persistent battlefield threat or be likely to produce secondary or person to person exposures. Many of the toxins, such as low molecular weight toxins and some peptides, are quite stable, where as the stability of the larger protein bacterial toxins is more variable. The bacterial toxins, such as botulinum toxins or shiga toxin, tend to be the most toxic in terms of dose required for lethality, whereas the mycotoxins tend to be among the least toxic compounds, thousands of times less toxic than the botulinum toxins. Some toxins are more toxic by the aerosol route than when delivered orally or parenterally (ricin, saxitoxin, and T2 mycotoxins are examples), whereas botulinum toxins have lower toxicity when delivered by the aerosol route than when ingested. Botulinum is so toxic inherently, however, that this characteristic does not limit its potential as a biological warfare agent. The utility of many toxins as military weapons is potentially limited by their inherent low toxicity (too much toxin would be required), or by the fact that some which are very toxic, such as saxitoxin, can only feasibly be produced in minute quantities. The lower the lethal dose, the less agent would be required to cover a large battlefield sized area. The converse is also true, and means that for some agents such as ricin, very large quantities (tons) would be needed for an effective open-air attack. Where toxins are concerned, incapacitation as well as lethality must be considered. Several toxins cause significant illness at levels much lower than the level required for lethality, and are thus militarily significant in their ability to incapacitate soldiers. Four toxins considered to be among the most likely toxins which could be used against US forces include botulinum toxins, staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB), ricin, and T-2 mycotoxins.[78]
Blister Agents:
Mustard (H) agent was used during the later parts of World War I. In its pure state, mustard is colorless and almost odorless. The name mustard comes from earlier methods of production that yielded an impure, mustard smelling product. Mustard is also claimed to have a smell similar to rotten onions. Distilled mustard (HD) was originally produced from H by a purification process of washing and vacuum distillation. HD is a colorless to amber colored liquid with a garlic-like odor. It has less odor and a slightly greater blistering power than H and is more stable in storage. It is used as an agent to produce casualties after a certain delay, the duration of which depends upon the munitions used, the weather and the exposure concentration. HD is heavier then water, but small droplets will float on the water surface and present a hazard. Heavily splashed liquid mustard persists one to two days or more in concentrations that produce casualties for military significance under average weather conditions and for a week to months under very cold conditions. HD on soil can cause blistering for about two weeks. The persistency in running water is only a few days, while the persistency in stagnant water can be several months. HD is about twice as persistent in sea water.[79]
Mustard acts first as a cell irritant and finally as a cell poison on all tissue surfaces contacted. Early symptoms include inflammation of the eyes; inflammation of the nose, throat, trachea, bronchi, and lung tissue; and redness of the skin. Blistering or ulceration are also likely to occur. Other effects may include vomiting and fever that begin around the same time as the skin starts to redden. Eyes are very sensitive to mustard in low concentrations, but skin damage requires a much larger concentration. HD causes casualties at lower concentrations in hot and humid weather, because the body is moist with perspiration and wet skin absorbs more mustard than does dry skin. HD has a very low detoxification rate; therefore, repeated exposures are cumulative in the body. Furthermore, individuals can be sensitized to mustard. Individuals can be protected from small mustard droplets or vapor by wearing protective masks and permeable protective clothing. The use of impermeable clothing and masks can protect against large droplets, splashes, and smears.[80]
Chemical Agent Monitor (CAM):
The CAM is a hand held post attack device used to monitor buildings, equipment, and personnel for contamination. The CAM is designed to detect chemical agent vapors in two modes, G and H. While in G mode the CAM can detect nerve agents. Switching to the H mode allows the CAM to detect Mustard Agents. The CAM draws in air then samples it by sensing molecular ions of specific mobility (Time of Flight) and uses timing and microprocessor techniques to reject interference. The CAM uses a graphic bar display the relative concentration of agent present.[81]
Detection Paper:
Detection paper is based on certain dyes being soluble in chemical warfare agents. Normally, two dyes and one pH indicator are used, which are mixed with cellulose fibers in a paper without special coloring (unbleached). When a drop of chemical warfare agent is absorbed by the paper, it dissolves one of the pigments. Mustard agent dissolves a red dye and nerve agent a yellow. In addition, VX causes the indicator to turn to blue which, together with the yellow, will become green/green-black. Detection paper can thus be used to distinguish between three different types of chemical warfare agents. A disadvantage with the papers is that many other substances can also dissolve the pigments. Consequently, they should not be located in places where drops of solvent, fat, oil or fuel can fall on them. Drops of water give no reaction. On the basis of spot diameter and density on the detection paper, it is possible to obtain an opinion on the original size of the droplets and the degree of contamination.[82]
Fox Reconnaissance Vehicle:
The Fox Nuclear Biological and Chemical (NBC) Reconnaissance Vehicle was the most sophisticated and technically complex piece of chemical detection equipment that the US used in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. They were designed to provide an initial alerting mechanism to warn personnel of the possible presence of dangerous chemicals, and provide a detailed confirmation capability by means of on-board mass spectrometers. These vehicles were state-of-the-art chemical reconnaissance systems and a quantum leap in technology over existing US capabilities. Other detection equipment aboard the Fox include the M43A1 Chemical Agent Detector, the M256 Series Chemical Agent Detector Kit, the AN/VDR2 radiation detector, and the ASG1 radiation detector. The Fox was designed as a reconnaissance system, with a primary function to detect, identify, and mark persistent ground contaminated areas. Although it could detect chemical warfare agent vapors, the basic Fox with its MM-1 mass spectrometer was not optimized for this purpose. During Operation Desert Storm, the Fox was used as a reconnaissance vehicle, as a mobile vapor detector, and as a spot detector to confirm detections from other equipment. The Fox with its MM-1 performed a quick survey check for the presence of chemicals chosen as the most likely to be present. If an alert occurred during this quick survey, a more time-consuming spectrum was necessary for confirmation. During OperationDesert Storm, interfering chemicals such as oil well fire smoke posed difficulties for the Fox’s detection capabilities.[83] (Fox information paper)
M256A1 Chemical Agent Detection Kit:
The M256A1 kit is a portable, expendable item capable of detecting and identifying hazardous concentrations of chemical agent. The M256 kit is used after a chemical attack to determine if it is safe to unmask. The M256A1 kit has replaced the M256 kit. The only difference between the two kits is that the M256A1 kit will detect lower levels of nerve agent. This improvement was accomplished by using an eel enzyme for the nerve test in the M256A1 kit in place of the horse enzyme used in the M256 kit.[84]
M8A1 Chemical Alarm:
The M8A1 is an automatic chemical agent detection and warning system designed to detect the presence of nerve agent vapors or inhalable aerosols. The M8A1 will automatically signal the presence of the nerve agent in the air by providing troops with both a audible and visible warning. The M8A1 was fielded to replace the wet chemical M8 detector with a dry system—which eliminated the M229 refill kit, the logistic burden, and associated costs. The M8A1 operates in a fixed, portable, or vehicle mounted configuration.[85] (M8A1 information paper)
Mission Oriented Protective Posture (MOPP):
The wearing of MOPP gear provides soldiers protection against all known chemical agents, live biological agents, and toxins. MOPP gear consists of the following items: overgarment (chemical suit), overboots; Gas mask with hood, and gloves. When a person is wearing MOPP gear, they can not work for very long nor can they work very fast. They may also suffer mental distress as a result of feeling closed in and will also suffer from heat stress and heat exhaustion when working in warm temperatures and at high work rates. The MOPP concept arose from the need to balance individual protection with the threat, temperature, and urgency of the mission. Commanders can raise or lower the amount of protection through five levels of MOPP. In addition, commanders can exercise a mask-only option.[86] (MOPP information paper)
MOPP Level Zero: Individuals must carry their protective mask with them at all times. Their remaining MOPP Gear must be readily available (i.e., within the work area, fighting position, living space, etc.).
MOPP Level One: Individuals wear their overgarment. They must carry the rest of their MOPP gear.
MOPP Level Two: Individuals wear their overgarment and overboots and carry the mask with hood and gloves.
MOPP Level Three: Individuals wear their overgarment, overboots, and mask with hood. They carry the gloves.
MOPP Level Four: Individuals wear all their MOPP gear.
Nerve Agents:
Tabun (GA) is a brownish to colorless liquid agent that gives off a colorless vapor and causes causalities quickly. It was first developed by the Germans before the start of World War II. GA enters the body primarily through the respiratory tract, but it is also highly toxic through the skin and digestive tract. It is approximately 20 times more persistent than Sarin (GB) but not as stable in storage. GA has a high toxicity to the eyes, and a very low concentration of the vapors causes the pupil to constrict. This results in an individual having difficulty seeing in dim light. GA liquid penetrates the skin quickly; therefore decontamination of the smallest drop of the liquid agent is essential. The normal sequence of symptoms for vapor exposure is: running nose, tightness of chest, dimness of vision and pin-pointing of the eye pupils, difficulty breathing, drooling and excessive sweating, nausea, vomiting, cramps, involuntary defecation and urination, twitching, jerking and staggering, headache, drowsiness, coma and confusion. These symptoms are followed by cessation of breathing and death. These symptoms appear much more slowly from skin dosage than from respiratory dosage. Respiratory lethal dosages kill in 1 to 10 minutes; liquid in the eye kills nearly as fast; death may occur through skin absorption in one to two minutes; or death may also be delayed for one or two hours. A protective mask and protective clothing provide protection from all nerve agents. Protective clothing gives off G agents for about 30 minutes after contact with vapor. All liquid agent should immediately be removed from protective clothing. The persistency of GA depends upon the munitions used and the weather. Heavily splashed liquid persists one to two days under average weather conditions. It can persist about one day at 20� C and about six days at 5� C.[87]
Sarin gas (GB) was developed by the Germans after they developed GA. The symptoms exhibited by and protection methods used for GB are identical to GA. Death usually occurs within 15 minutes after a fatal dosage is absorbed. Soman (GD) is a colorless liquid that gives off a colorless vapor. Skin and eye toxicity is three times that of GA. Lethal respiratory and eye dosages usually kill in 1 to 10 minutes, while dosages absorbed through the skin can take up to one to two hours. The symptoms exhibited by and protection methods used for GD are identical to GA and GB. V series nerve agents are generally colorless and odorless liquids which do not evaporate rapidly. The standard V agent is VX while others include VE, VG, and VS. VX (the US standard V agent) is very persistent, odorless, amber colored liquid similar in appearance to motor oil. VX is much more persistent then G agents and causes death by the same mechanisms as G nerve agents. Since VX has a low volatility, liquid droplets on the skin do not evaporate quickly which increases its absorption. VX absorption through the skin is estimated to be more than 1000 times as toxic as GB and by inhalation is estimated to be 10 times as toxic as GB. Death usually occurs within 15 minutes after the absorption of a fatal dosage. The persistency of VX depends on the munitions and weather conditions. Heavily splashed liquid can persist for long periods under normal weather conditions. In very cold weather, VX can persist for months.[88]
Sarin:
see Nerve Agents.
UN Security Council Resolution 687:
This resolution was adopted by the UN Security Council at its 2981st meeting, on April 3, 1991. The pertinent section of this resolution, as it relates to the An Nasiriyah SW ASP narrative, follows:
6. Notes that as soon as the Secretary-General notifies the Security Council of the completion of the deployment of the United Nations observer unit, the conditions will be established for the Member States cooperating with Kuwait in accordance with resolution 678 (1990) to bring their military presence in Iraq to an end consistent with resolution 686 (1991);
Invites Iraq to reaffirm unconditionally its obligations under the Geneva Protocol for the Prohibition of the Use in War of Asphyxiating, Poisonous or Other Gases, and of Bacteriological Methods of Warfare, signed at Geneva on 17 June 1925, and to ratify the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction, of 10 April 1972;
Decides that Iraq shall unconditionally accept the destruction, removal, or rendering harmless, under international supervision, of:
(a) All chemical and biological weapons and all stocks of agents and all related subsystems and components and all research, development, support and manufacturing facilities;
(b) All ballistic missiles with a range greater than 150 kilometres and related major parts, and repair and production facilities; Decides, for the implementation of paragraph 8 above [paragraph 6 is only numbered paragraph in document], the following:
(a) Iraq shall submit to the Secretary-General, within fifteen days of the adoption of the present resolution, a declaration of the locations, amounts and types of all items specified in paragraph 8 and agree to urgent, on-site inspection as specified below;
(b) The Secretary-General, in consultation with the appropriate Governments and, where appropriate, with the Director-General of the World Health Organization, within forty-five days of the passage of the present resolution, shall develop, and submit to the Council for approval, a plan calling for the completion of the following acts within forty-five days of such approval.[89]
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