Information Paper

 

Iraq’s Scud Ballistic Missiles

 

Information Papers are reports of what we know today about military equipment and/or procedures used in the 1990-1991 Gulf War. This particular information paper on Iraq’s Scud ballistic missiles is meant to provide the reader with a basic understanding of the characteristics, capabilities, and employment of Iraq’s Scuds during the Gulf War. This version makes minor revisions to the initial version published on July 25, 2000, to clarify the toxicity of kerosene, the Scud fuel.  We hope that you will read this and contact us with any information that would help us better understand Iraq’s Scud ballistic missiles and more accurately report their use during the Gulf War. Please contact my office to report any new information by calling:

1-800-497-6261

 

Dale A. Vesser
Acting Special Assistant for Gulf War Illnesses,
Medical Readiness, and Military Deployments
Department of Defense

2000236-0000003 Ver 1.1

Last Update: February 12, 2001

Many veterans of the Gulf War have expressed concern that their unexplained illnesses may result 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 Office of the Special Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of Defense for Gulf War Illnesses assumed responsibility for these investigations on November 12, 1996, Effective July 26, 2000, this office became the Office of the Special Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Gulf War Illnesses, Medical Readiness, and Military Deployments, with continued responsibility for gulf War issues.

To inform the public about the progress of these efforts, the Department of Defense is publishing on the Internet and elsewhere accounts that may contribute to the discussion of possible causes of illnesses of Gulf War veterans, along with documentary evidence or personal testimony used in compiling the accounts. This information paper will aid in understanding incidents involving Iraq’s use of Scud missiles.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I.  SUMMARY
 
II.  HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
 
III.  IRAQ’S SCUD CHARACTERISTICS AND CAPABILITIES
 
IV.  SCUDS AND CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS
A.  Threat Estimates Before Operation Desert Storm
B.  Information During the War
C.  Post-War Findings
 
V.  IRAQ’S USE OF SCUDS DURING OPERATION DESERT STORM
A.  Introduction
B.  Total Scud Firing Incidents
C.  Scud Incidents in the Eastern KTO
1.  Summary
2.  Details on Selected Incidents
D. Scud Incidents in the Riyadh Area
1.  Summary
2.  Details on Selected Incidents
E.  Scud Incidents in the KKMC and Hafir Al Batin Areas
1.  Summary
2.  Details on Selected Incidents
F.  Scud Incidents in Israel
 
VI.  FALSE ALARMS AND FALSE TARGETS
A.  False Alarms
B.  Patriot False Target Detections
 
VII.  SCUD OXIDIZER INCIDENTS
 
VIII.  COALITION RESPONSE TO SCUD THREAT
 
IX.  THE RESIDUAL THREAT
 
X.  SUMMARY OF OBSERVATIONS
 
TAB A – Acronyms, Abbreviations, and Glossary
 
TAB B – Bibliography
 
TAB C – Chemical Evidence – Scud Incidents In KTO
 
TAB D – Analysis of CURR Scud Incident List
 
TAB E – Summary of Changes in this Report

END NOTES


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