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Filename:22tr5360.143
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This document is a captured Iraqi military record.
It is provided in its original form to include Iraqi
classification markings (i.e. Top Secret, Secret, etc.).
These classification markings are NOT U.S. Government markings.
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Chapter Seven
The chemical defense
General considerations
79. The defensive capability of a certain country against chemical
attacks depends on the organization of its intelligence, research, and
technical development in the fields of various chemical equipment, and
medical treatments. At the field (tactical) level, a successful
chemical defense depends on the early detection of chemical contamination,
early chemical warning, using personal and collective protective equipment,
performing partial and full decontamination to persons, equipment, and
gear at the appropriate time, and medical treatment. This is not reached
(a successful chemical defense) without a high level of chemical training.
Annex G lays out the requirements of the chemical defense
Detection and warning
80. The available method to detect toxic chemical agents in all non
chemical units (battalion.. .any unit) is the chemical reconnaissance
gear. They are operated by the unitÕs chemical advisor. The gear have
the capability of diagnosing most types of known toxic chemical agents
(nerve agents, blister agents, choking agents, Hydrogen cyanide and Cyanogen
chloride). The gear's capability to detect depends on the type of detection
tubes that are provided with the equipment. Detection sheets may also be
available.
81. In the chemical units (chemical battalion, company, platoon, etc.)
there are chemical reconnaissance vehicles (armored and unarmored) that
contain a number equipment that are used for detection and warning of
toxic chemical agents in the field. They are:
a. Quick chemical detection device
A special device that detects contaminations of nerve agents by giving light and
sound signals for very low concentrations (GSP -11, GSI - 12, etc.)
b. Chemical reconnaissance equipment
They are the same equipment that can be found in the non chemical units. They
are used to detect most types of toxic chemical agents by relying on the type of
detector tubes that are available with the gear.
c. Semi-mechanized chemical detection device
It is a mechanized system that is mounted on the vehicle's electricity. It is used
mechanically to detect most toxic chemical agents with detector tubes (the same
detector tubes that are with the chemical reconnaissance equipment)
d. Chemical labs
In the chemical units (chemical battalion / company/ center for a naval base/
chemical platoon for an air base) there are chemical labs that can detect most types
and amounts of toxic chemical agents.
82. All individuals are to be trained on identifying the signs of chemical decontaminations
(physiological characteristics of agents / signs and symbols that are mounted on chemical
ammunition / effects that are left in the area after the use / infection symptoms etc. They
also have to give an immediate chemical warning signal.
83. Chemical surveillance centers are opened in the non chemical units by chemical advisors
and elements from other units that are trained on surveillance and reconnaissance
operations. They are also opened by chemical units (chemical reconnaissance
detachments) in the formations' headquarters. They also have to carry out the following
obligations that pertain to chemical attacks:
a. Give an immediate chemical warning
b. Determine the attack area, the type of the chemical contamination and its
concentration if possible.
c. Continuous periodic test (after use)
d. Submit reports about the chemical attack
e. Take samples from the field and send them to the higher headquarters
f. Control weather conditions and send reports about the weather (in case the
weather conditions equipment are available).
Protection
84. The necessary protection must be provided to individuals and units at the right time from
any sudden attack by the enemy with chemical weapons in order to avoid or minimize the
effects of these weapons. There are two types of protective measures:
a. Individual protective measures
Measures of individual protection from the effects of chemical weapons Are taken
by using the following protective equipment (protective equipment number 1)
that are used by each element of the armed forces. They consist of:
One. A protective mask that is essential to individual protection
Two. A protective cloak (protective coat or suit)
Three. A pair of light protective gloves
Four. Light protective foot gear
Note
The above protective equipment provide protection from toxic chemical agents for
a period that may reach six 6 hours. Regular clothing also provides a relative
protection from the effects of toxic chemical agents
b. Collective protective measures
Some collective protective equipment are required to guarantee operating some
headquarters without using protective masks or equipment especially command
headquarters, communications center, and field hospitals. This occurs by using
both shelters - conditioned (depends on filtering contaminated air through
collective protective gear) and non conditioned (very tightly closed and depend on
internal clean air). There are some armored vehicles (tanks / armored personnel
carriers), and field hospitals that are equipped with filters to decontaminate the
air.
85. The nature of the ground should also be used to offer protection from the effects of the
chemical weapons. For example, low areas such as valleys should be avoided where a
toxic chemical agent cloud settles. In addition, the wide spread of the troops as permitted
by the tactical situation is useful for chemical protection.
Chemical decontamination
86. Contamination must be removed or reduced to the normal level. The best way is the one
that occurs with the least effort and materials within the period that is permitted by the
tactical situation. Decontamination is divided into:
a. Immediate decontamination
It is the decontamination that is necessary to save a life. The individual is
responsible for using the decontamination and first aid equipment available to all
elements or with another method. This should occur within the first minutes of
the contamination. This is called first hand decontamination
b. Partial decontamination
It is a limited decontamination of various equipment and necessary items to carry
out the obligations during operations. This decontamination is deemed a
continuous process whenever permitted by the tactical situation. This type of
decontamination is called second hand decontamination. This occurs by using
decontamination equipment that are special to non chemical units (ADK -1, ARB
- 4, DK -4) or tank methods.
c. Full decontamination
It is the phase during which the decontamination is reduced to persons and
equipment to the lowest level of the decontaminated units where they can carry
out their obligations without using protective equipment. This occurs in
decontamination centers or stations that are opened by chemical units
(independent chemical platoon, chemical corps in a division , chemical battalion in
the headquarters) and at predesignated locations.
Medical treatment
87. It means treating, decontaminating, and evacuating the infected persons (contaminated
victims or others) according to the measures to evacuate the casualties in the field when
chemical attacks occur from the unit's first aid location to the baseÕs hospitals. Necessary
disinfectants and medicine are to be provided and used for decontamination and treatment
by doctors such as: (monochloramine, sodium bicarbonate, Atropine shots, Oxime PAM2
Chloride , Amyl
nitrate, sodium nitrate, sodium sulfate, pal ointment etc.) and all that pertains to chemical
treatment.
88. The medical staff is also responsible for continuously (periodically) testing food and
water to confirm that they bo not contains chemical contamination. In general, canned
food is safe. However, the can must be washed thoroughly before opening it with organic
solvents or gasoline, and water. As to the food that is contained in the wooden containers,
fabric and paper bags, they do not provide a shield or protection against liquids or vapors
of toxic chemical agents. Food that is contaminated by toxic chemical agents is useless. As
to fatty food or water, they are often usable if contaminated by vapors only and when
needed.
Note
Food is usually filled in special can that prevents chemical contamination under chemical
war conditions
Staff duties
89. Chemical defense measures should be part of the fixed procedures of the units.
Continuous training is provided and in special cases confirmed by operations orders.
There should also be a cooperation among all staff department on chemical operations.
90. In the headquarters of each chemical corps, there is a commander who has obligations to
give the necessary consulting to the staff. In each headquarters also, there is an chemical
officer has obligations to give consulting to the commander.
91. The most important obligations of the chemical corps command and the chemical officers
in the formations are the following:
a. To provide technical advice to the commander/leader and his officers about
protective measures that range from chemical weapons plans to evaluating
(assessing) the chemical situation.
b. To supervise the technical training of the chemical units and formations and
submit reports.
c. To organize the chemical support of the units that are based upon the tactical
situation and the plan of the chemical situation
d. To supervise the distribution and storage of chemical substances, decontamination
solutions, and protective equipment in the units and formations.
e. To supervise the chemical warning methods in the units and formations.
f. It is technically linked to all chemical elements in the formations.
g. To issue publications and information about chemical weapons that are available
with the enemy and share these information with the other corps.
Training
92. Units and formations should train on the necessary preventive measures when chemical
attacks occur. They are mainly the following:
a. An accurate identification of the characteristics and effects of toxic chemical agents
b. Protective and first aid measures of the effects of toxic chemical weapons.
c. The use of a protective mask and other individual protective equipment as well as
the decontamination and first aid equipment.
d. Measures that need to be taken when a chemical attack occurs (upon receiving the
chemical warning signal)
e. Recognizing the signs of a chemical attack
f. The chemical warning
g. Work procedures at decontamination centers and stations
93. All staff should confirm that the troops are well trained on the above. This occurs by
always taking the following measures:
a. Units and formations are to perform their activities while wearing protective
equipment.
b. Units are to perform decontamination at decontamination points and stations that
are opened by the chemical units.
c. Headquarters, units, and formations are to take the measures that need to be taken
during chemical attacks at all levels.
94. Some alternative substances (non toxic chemical substances) or non lethal (tear) chemical
agents may be used to train troops on protective measures such as CN -
Chloroacetophenone and CS. However, the use of CS is not recommended because of its
smell that is easily identified. Annex H lays out some toxic chemical agents and their
alternatives that may be used in chemical training on individuals and troops.
Annexes
The following annexes lay out the following (we wish to refer to them):
Annex G
Chemical defense requirements
Annex H
Chemical training alternatives
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