TREATMENT OF CHEMICAL AGENT CASUALTIES NOR NAVSURNLANT SHIPS

File: 082696_doc1_541.txt
Page: 541
Total Pages: 652


                                POINT PAPER


  Subi    Chemical Protective Masks, Ml7Als/Ml7A2s

  1.   The asset posture of the Ml~Al, MlV~A2 and M40 is as follows.

           Ml~Al                     Mi~A2                  M40

    MA~     MBB    Total        MAB    MBB    Total        MAB/MEB

  15,574   14,57S  30,152     7,111  3,lSl    l0,2~2        0   0

  2.   The standard issue mask is the M17A2.  As shown above,  the asset
  posture is still ~airly good at the MCLB's.   Assets at the source of
  supply  (AMCCOM, Rock Island, IL, Bl4) are extremely limited in the
  medium size, but availability for small and extra-small is good.    ~A~e
  have received free of charge 20,000 size small and have another
  requisition for approximately 15,000 pending for sizes small and
  extra-small.

  3.   The M40 Mask has not been fielded and First Article Testing   (FAT)
  continues to slip.  The new FAT date is November l9~0 and the earliest
  deliveries could possibly corninence 1st Quarter, lY~l.

  4.   The Ml?Als can be issued as long as they are tested by the Test
  and Evaluation Units located at Albany and Barstow.    Random sampling
  ~f the Ml7Als will be completed soon.   This sampling will be done on
~Condition Code A, Level A packed only.    Masks determined not to be
  Condition Code A, Level A will be 100 percent tested.    The Ml7Als are
  a suitable substitute, but are several years older.    All filters,
  repair parts and components are the same as for the A2 and the Ml7Al
  is basically the same mask.   This option should be used only when
  Ml7A2 stocks are depleted.

  5.   The ability to swap masks has not created any problems to date.
  As long as we only swap with top priority units we should be able to
  handle Testing and Evaluation support as well as swaps with untested
  units.   This will have to be closely monitored by ILSD and the CMC
  LRCC. The key to maintaining a sufficient asset posture is getting the
  untested assets back from the FMF.   Statistics show that many of these
  masks are good and after testing will be returned to stock.    Those
  that fail will be sent to Pine Bluff, Ak' for rebuild and eventual
  return to stock.   ~e anticipate returned assets  (approximately S,000)
  from 1st MEB next week.   Once these masks are tested and the return to
  stock process is started our posture will continue to improve allowing
  us much more flexibility.

  ~.   Recommend continuing the Testing and Evaluation pro grams at the
  MCLBs and swapping masks with committed units that have never been
  tested.