Chemical-Biological Defense: U.S. Military Policies and Decisions in the Gulf War

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Description

The Gulf War has been the only conflict in the last half-century that featured the possible use of chemical-biological weapons against U.S. forces. Vulnerability to such an attack spurred the Department of Defense to action from the first hint of trouble in August 1990 through the end of hostilities in March 1991. Nearly disbanded in 1972, the U.S. Army Chemical Corps would be the prime force in ensuring that U.S. forces could both survive and sustain combat operations under chemical-biological warfare conditions. Focussing on the work of senior Army officials, this account assesses the degree of readiness achieved by the ground war's initiation and the lessons learned since the conflict. For an appropriately trained and equipped military force, chemical weapons pose not the danger of mass destruction but the threat of mass disruption, no more deadly than smart munitions or B-52 air strikes. This book will reveal a coordinated response to train and equip U.S. forces did take place prior to the feared Iraqi chemical and biological attacks. Undocumented in any other book, it details the plans that rushed sixty Fox reconnaissance vehicles to the Gulf, the worldwide call for protective suits and masks, and the successful placement of biological agent detectors prior to the air offensive. In addition, the work addresses what really happened at Khamisiyah. Were troops exposed to chemical weapons and what is behind the mysterious Gulf War Syndrome

Reviews

"A frightening and factual book on everyman's weapon of mass destruction. Already used by terrorists, and long held by a rogues gallery of unfriendly nations, here is where you can find out what you're up against, and what America has done, and not done, to deal with it. Raises a lot of issues that too many people would rather ignore. The coverage of the Gulf War Syndrome shows how easy it is for journalists to be very selective in choosing their information."-James F. Dunnigan Co-author, From Shield to Storm
"Al Mauroni has focused our attention on what may become a frontier of modern warfare. He goes deeply into the material, penetrating the shallow sound bites that have dominated this discussion. I learned a tremendous amount both about chemical defenses and chemical warfare. An outstanding contribution to the discussion of a major policy issue."-George Friedman Chairman, Strategic Forecasting LLC. Co-author, The Future of War
"Al Mauroni's unprecedented study of this little-known aspect of the Persian Gulf War is well written, illuminating and thorough. Superbly researched, this insightful work will become the standard text on contemporary chemical and biological defense challenges. Timely and important...the author has performed a notable service to our nation and our military. Strongly recommend for military leaders and concerned citizens."-Barry R. McCaffrey General, U.S. Army (Ret.)
.,.".a well-researched book well worth your time. This history should be part of every chemical officer's library. It shows the Corps at its finest-protecting the force. It also provides sobering testimony that this mission has to be continued into the future."-Army Chemical Review
....a well-researched book well worth your time. This history should be part of every chemical officer's library. It shows the Corps at its finest-protecting the force. It also provides sobering testimony that this mission has to be continued into the future.-Army Chemical Review
Excellent use is made of anecdotes in this book, and a lot of insight into our operations can be gleaned from them....Chemical-Biological Defense, U.S. Military Policies and Decisions in the Gulf War would be an interesting library addition for most Chemical Corps soldiers because of its insight into the policies driving NBC doctrine and operational readiness. I think Mauroni's analysis of Gulf War Syndrome gives his book a much greater audience.-Parameters
...".a well-researched book well worth your time. This history should be part of every chemical officer's library. It shows the Corps at its finest-protecting the force. It also provides sobering testimony that this mission has to be continued into the future."-Army Chemical Review
"Excellent use is made of anecdotes in this book, and a lot of insight into our operations can be gleaned from them....Chemical-Biological Defense, U.S. Military Policies and Decisions in the Gulf War would be an interesting library addition for most Chemical Corps soldiers because of its insight into the policies driving NBC doctrine and operational readiness. I think Mauroni's analysis of Gulf War Syndrome gives his book a much greater audience."-Parameters

Author Bio

ALBERT J. MAURONI has 13 years of professional experience in the area of chemical-biological warfare, including seven with the U.S. Army Chemical Corps. He currently works as a management consultant specializing in Department of Defense chemical-biological defense programs and is a member of the Association of the U.S. Army and National Defense Industrial Association. He is the author of several articles on chemical-biological warfare.