Chemical Warfare: Soldiers Inadequately Equipped and Trained to Conduct Chemical Operations

摘要

The number of countries possessing or attempting to acquire chemical weapons has increased. Several of the nations suspected of possessing these weapons are located in regions where the United States has a strategic interest. The Chairmen of the Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs; the Subcommittee on Readiness, House Committee on Armed Services; and the Legislation and National Security Subcommittee, House Committee on Government Operations, asked GAO to determine whether U.S. soldiers were routinely trained and equipped to survive and sustain operations in a chemical environment. GAO'S specific objectives were to determine whether soldiers were adequately trained to survive and sustain operations in a chemical environment and whether Army units were adequately equipped to carry out chemical training and wartime missions. GAO'S review did not cover the training or equipment provided personnel involved in Operation Desert Shield. However, according to Army officials, (1) the units that deployed to the Middle East have since received increased training for conducting operations in a chemical environment; (2) the deployed forces are not lacking in chemical protective clothing; and (3) sufficient chemical protection, detection, and decontamination equipment to meet both individual and unit requirements is being made available to deploying forces.