America's Struggle with Chemical-Biological Warfare

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Albert J. Mauroni

ISBN: 0-275-96756-5

ISBN-13: 978-0-275-96756-7

DOI:

320 pages

Praeger Publishers

Publication: 1/30/2000

List Price: $125.00 (UK Sterling Price: £86.95)

Availability: Print on demand

Media Type: Hardcover

Also Available: Ebook

Trim Size: 6 1/8 x 9 1/4

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Description: Fear and ignorance have colored the perception of chemical and biological (CB) warfare both in the public and military spheres. Media coverage following the alleged gassing of sheep at Dugway Proving Ground in 1968 has led most people to believe that CB warfare is an unstoppable doomsday weapon of mass destruction. Yet, in 1972, General Creighton Abrams, the Army Chief of Staff, attempted to disestablish the Chemical Corps because he saw no need for it. Had that decision not been reversed in 1976, there would not have been any chemical defense specialists or equipment available for Operation Desert Storm in 1990.

This study tracks events relating to the Department of Defense's CB warfare program between 1968 and 1990, as it evolved up to the Gulf War. It also details how the military develops and procures CB defense equipment to protect today's soldiers. Mauroni draws parallels between the development of binary chemical weapons, the chemical demilitarization program, and the DoD CB terrorism response efforts, as each has very similar issues and solutions. He seeks to educate leading officials and the general public about the facts behind CB warfare and the options for coping with it in the future. With proper training and equipment, the challenge of CB warfare can be met and dealt with on the modern battlefield.

Table of Contents:

Preface
Demise of the Army Chemical Corps
Swords or Shields: The Debate over WMDs
The Chemical Corps Enters the Cold War
The Chemical Corps Begins Its Fall
Bad News Gets Worse
Regaining CB Defense Capabilities
The Renaissance Years Begin, 1979-1984
Changes in Doctrine and Training
Reconnaissance, Detection and Identification
Individual Protection
Collective Protection
Decontamination
The Renaissance Years Fade, 1985-1990
Politics of Chemical Arms and Chemical Defense
Reconnaissance, Detection and Identification - Part 2
Individual Protection - Part 2
Collective Protection and Decontamination - Part 2
Smoke, Radiacs and Medical Chemical Defense - Part 2
Current Events
Iraq's NBC Warfare Program
Operation Desert Shield/Storm
Restructuring the DoD CB Defense Program
Domestic Affairs
Conclusions
Bibliography
Index

About the Author: ALBERT J. MAURONI is a management consultant working on Department of Defense chemical-biological defense programs. He has 14 years experience as an Army chemical officer. His previous works include Chemical-Biological Defense: U.S. Military Policies and Decisions in the Gulf War (Praeger, 1998). He lives in Abingdon, Maryland with his wife Roseann and their three dogs.

LCC Class: 358


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