NBC Warfare Operations

NBC Warfare Operations

NBC WARFARE OPERATIONS (Reference: FM 21-40) 1.What is the purpose of Nuclear, Biological and Chemical operations and Nuclear Warfare? The primary purpose of NBC Warfare is to produce casualties in man and animals and to deny or hinder the use of space, facilities, or material. 2.What are the three forms chemical agents can take? They are vapor (gas), as finely divided liquid or solid particles (aerosols), or liquid droplets. 3.What are biological agents? They are the same disease-producing microorganisms (germs) naturally present around us every day. 4.Name the hazards present in nuclear warfare. Heat, blast, and radiation. 5.How can chemical and biological agents enter your body? Through your eyes, nose, mouth, and skin. 6.What is the most important single item to protect you against NBC operations? Your protective mask. 7.What is a NBC marker? They are right-angled isosceles triangles with a base of approximately 11 inches/28 cm and sides of about 8 inches/20 cm. They designate a contaminated area. 8.Describe a chemical marker. It is a right-angled isosceles triangle. The triangle is yellow with the red letters "GAS" on it. 9.Describe a biological marker. It is a right-angled isosceles triangle. The triangle is blue with red letters "BIO" on it. 10.Describe a nuclear marker. It is a right-angled isosceles triangle. The triangle is white with the black letters "ATOM" on it. 11.What does your protective mask do? It protects your face, eyes, and respiratory tract from concentrations of chemical and biological agents. 12.What is the nomenclature of your protective mask? M17/M17A1. 13.What agent is the automatic atropine injector/paralidoxime chloride used for? For nerve agent poisoning. 14.You must put on your mask and get an air-tight seal in how many seconds? Nine seconds. 15.Explain how to test for a proper seal of your protective mask. Place the palms of your hands over the two inlet valve assemblies in the cheek pouches to shut off air, and breath in slowly. The facepiece will collapse against your face if there are no leaks. If the facepiece dose not collapse, you have an air leak. 16.Give two ways that chemical agents can be disseminated in your area of operation? By artillery fire, mortar fire, rockets, missiles, aircraft spray, bombs, grenades, and land mines. 17.What are the chemical agents which may be employed? Nerve, blister, blood, and choking agents. 18.What are the two types of nerve agents? G and V agents. 19.What are the effects of nerve agent on the human body? Runny nose, tightness in the chest, pinpointing of the eye pupils, and difficulty in breathing. 20.What are the type of blister agents? Mustard, arsenicals, and phosgene oxime. 21.What are the effects of blister agents? It causes skin damage resembling severe sunburn. Heavy concentrations of the agent on the skin causes blisters. 22.What are the effects of blood agents? Difficult and slow or rapid breathing normally is the first effect. Then convulsions occur. There will also be eye and nose irritation, headache, and dizziness when a small amount is inhaled. 23.What are the effects of choking agent? They damage the lungs, causing them to fill with fluid. This prevents oxygen from reaching the body and death may result. 24.Who makes the decision to unmask after an enemy NBC attack? The decision to unmask is always made by the person in command. 25.What is the amyl nitrate ampule used for? Blood agents. 26.What are the types of nuclear explosions? Air, surface and subsurface. 27.What are the procedures when using the M258A1 Decon Kit? Pull out one decon wipe, wipe contaminated area for one (1) minute. Remove decon 2 packet, crush ampules inside packet. Tear open quickly off notch, remove the pad letting the screen fall away, and wipe same contaminated area for 2-3 minutes. 28.What are the three types of radiation connected with nuclear explosions? Alpha, beta, and gamma. 29.What is the first indicator of a nuclear explosion? a: Intense light, brighter than sunlight. ACTIONS TO TAKE WHILE UNDER NUCLEAR, BIOLOGICAL OR CHEMICAL ATTACK 1.ATOMIC ATTACK: If the alert is sounded, follow instructions. If you are warned before the explosion, pick the strongest shelter you can find in a hurry. Underground shelters, basements, deep foxholes, and tanks give good protection. During and after burst: Take cover - If you see brilliant light, brighter than sunlight, dive fast and put something (dirt, tree, wall) between you and the explosion. Fall flat on the ground face down, if you cannot reach shelter in a few steps. Stay until the blast effect is over or until the heavy material has stopped falling. Stay calm - Be ready for orders and instructions. Help your leaders to reform your unit. Your life and your unit depend on you doing the right thing at the right time. Continue the mission - The atomic burst is only one part of the enemy's plan. Be ready for more to come. You can expect an enemy attack shortly after an explosion. Effects of a nuclear burst: Blast - Shock waves or shock pressure from a burst is not enough to kill. Flying objects cause most of the deaths. Heat - Flash heat fires cause skin burns from even great distances. Nuclear radiation: Prompt radiation - Most radiation occurs in the first minute after an explosion. By the time objects have stopped falling there is no danger from prompt radiation. In most cases, if you are wounded or burned, you need not worry about prompt radiation. 2.BIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL ATTACK: The alarm should be given when a toxic agent is suspected. During an attack take your position and do the following: Hold your breath Mask Take cover if tactical situations permit Give the alarm Decontaminate Continue mission