Case Narrative

The Cement Factory

Case Narratives are reports of what we know today about specific events that took place during the Gulf War of 1990 and 1991. This particular narrative focuses on chemical alerts and suspected chemical samples taken at a former cement factory outside Kuwait City in March 1991, but the Marines who took these samples were never notified of the results. We hope that you will read this and contact us with any information that would help us better understand the events reported here. With your help, we will be able to report more accurately on the events surrounding the cement factory. Please contact my office to report any new information by calling:

1-800-472-6719

Bernard Rostker
Special Assistant for Gulf War Illnesses
Department of Defense

                1990012-0000012

Last Update: April 7, 1999                                                                                                                                                                            

Many veterans of the Gulf War have been experiencing a variety of physical symptoms, collectively called Gulf War illnesses. In response to veterans’ concerns, the Department of Defense (DoD) established a task force in June 1995 to investigate incidents and circumstances relating to possible causes. The Investigation and Analysis Directorate of the Office of the Special Assistant for Gulf War Illnesses assumed responsibility for these investigations on November 12, 1996, and has continued to investigate reports of chemical warfare agent incidents. The interim report is contained here.

As part of the effort to inform the public about the progress of this effort, DoD is publishing (on the Internet and elsewhere) accounts that may contribute to the discussion of the possible causes of Gulf War veterans’ illnesses, along with whatever documentary evidence or personal testimony was used in compiling the accounts. The narrative that follows is such an account.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

METHODOLOGY

SUMMARY

NARRATIVE
Background
Initial Suspicions about the Cement Factory
Confusion Over Dates
Site Location
Selection of the Reconnaissance Group
Site Inspection
Land Mines
Other Suspicious Items
Fox Capabilities
The Fox Alerts
Fox 1 Alert
Attempts to Verify Fox 1
Fox 2 Alert
Soil Samples
Additional Tests and Indications
Mission Completed
Transporting the Samples
CRDEC Analysis
Reporting the Findings
       
ANALYSIS
Fox Tape and Sample Testing Results
Fox 1 Tapes
Analysis of Chemical Warfare Agents
Post-War Investigations

ASSESSMENT

TAB A - Acronym Listing/Glossary

TAB B - Units Involved

TAB C - Bibliography

TAB D - Methodology For Chemical Incident Investigation

TAB E - Chemical Mines

TAB F - Lessons Learned

END NOTES

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