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Show 10 H.:':?cp Times COMMENTS Jan. 25, 1991 Chemical warfare not so scary by Col. Leonard M. Randolph Central Command Air Forces he threat of attack w ith chemi- cal weapons has so occupied our minds here in the Middle East that it has been my observation that we have become inordinately concerned. Indeed chemical weapons are inherently dangerous and can be incapacitating or even fatal. But so can a loaded gun. Why does it appear that we fear chemical attack more than an attack with conventional weapons? I think I may know why, but first let me present you with a contrast that may illustrate my point even before I make it. Most of us know a little about the disease known as AIDS. This dreadful disease is transmitted by a virus through contaminated needles, certain sexual encounters, and transfusion of infected blood or blood products. The treatment is ineffective and highly experimental, and there is no known cure at this time. In a somewhat similar way, chemical weapons consist of various agents: the nerve agent; the incapacitating agents, like mustard; and the blood agents, such as cyanide. Their transmission, or mode of delivery, is also multiple. Some of the main delivery avenues e are rockets, aircraft, tube and artillery multiple launch rocket systems. Here the similarities with AIDS cease, however. You see, treat long-rang- ment for exposure to chemical agents is generally highly effective, and there is a very successful cure rate. That's right! Exposure to chemical agents is not the beginning of the end. You, and my doctors, can make a significant impact on the ability of chemical weapons to affect operations. Here's how. Chemical weapons were first used against an opponent in 1915 when the Germans filled the air with chlorine gas as they attacked the French. Then in 1917 the Germans again, this time against the British, used a mustard agent. So, you see, chemical weapons are not new, and we've learned a great deal since 1915. Dr. Ronald Gleadle, a British physician, has said, "A chemical agent casualty is usually the result of bad training, bad discipline or bad luck." I fully concur with that. Our disaster preparedness people have prepared us very well to survive a chemical attack. All the training we've done becomes very important to us today. If we will simply do what we've learned, we'll be fine. The treatment of nerve agent poisoning is highly effective, particularly if protective measures are used promptly. Mustard casualties are very similar to burn patients, and burn treatment is also highly successful. It is not the end of the world just because chemicals are being used. We can handle it. Still not convinced? Read further. The death rate for patients who definitely have AIDS is 100 percent. Now that's the end of someone's world. Since the very beginning of chemical warfare employment in 1915 to the present day, fewer than 5 percent of the casualties have died. That means that for seventy-fiv- e years, 95 percent or more of people exposed to chemical weapons have survived that exposure. Now, what would you guess is the protective effectiveness of your gas mask and ground crew ensemble? If you guessed 100 percent, you'd be absolutely correct. Wear of a properly fitted and functioning gas mask with good filters and a fresh ground crew ensemble give you full protection against all known chemical agents. Granted, that stuff is a little uncomfortable to wear. But it's extremely protective. The bottom line is this: If we do the right things, there is no reason for us to have chemical warfare fatalities and little reason to have casualties at all. What I've hoped to do was bolster your confidence in your ability to survive an attack if chemicals were used and to continue to press the mission to completion. Indeed, the objective was to replace the unreasonable fear of survivability following a chemical attack, with a new confidence based on fact. If you feel a little more relaxed, it worked. If you don't, read this article again. Vietnam cease-fir- e Jan. 27, Editor's note: Courtesy CENTAF News Service. Colonel Randolph is the CENTAF command surgeon, stationed in Saudi Arabia. 1973 mw C German BRAKES I .I j. I ALIGNMENT 4 WHEEL . a ...u i i r. i $2495 I Ex , 24.95 '39.95 I I - - L! Pir2i5l .JJZ'ZLVl'lZ 5rving Utah for 10 WHtN years I ! thrust line... Pnr flier nr nmm rw ivm nn I With mechanicl rear k,,v. inriiirtpc m inn ... most passenger cars. Add S15JX) tor metal j adjustment . uaua. nui toiiu wuii ainr uuroi uiauAjma. . i I referencing $400 J Expi res289 1 IT MAUV COUNTS rrn t'mnrram mi nnn mm ' yFitiiy Ask about our Lrfstimo Warranty mmm mm H Authentic German Gourmet Cooking in Old World Atmosphere stat! 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