PART A - OPERATIONAL DECONTAMINATION SUPPORT
Operational Decontamination, as shown in Figure 1-2, is a squad-size
(sometimes platoon-size) operation that consists of two techniques: MOPP
Gear Exchange and Vehicle Washdown.
The contaminated squad conducts the
MOPP Gear Exchange.
It is supported by the company supply section that
provides decontaminants and new overgarments. The battalion's PDDE crew or
a chemical company decon squad supports the Vehicle Washdown.
When
you
perform radiological decontamination,
you
can
check the
effectiveness of your efforts.
You cannot do this with chemical or
biological decontamination.
By using your company-level AN/PDR-27 or
AN/VDR-2 RADIAC Set, you can determine specifically how much radiological
contamination remains.
Monitor decontaminated equipment 1 inch from the
surface, and you can quickly determine if contamination levels are low
enough to present only negligible risks (0.33 cGy per hour). If negligible
risk levels exist, no further decontamination is required. MOPP levels can
be lowered for extended periods, if no chemical or biological hazards exist
in the area. Do Operational Decon as soon as possible. A squad can do both
techniques in 45 to 60 minutes while moving between fighting positions. The
Vehicle Washdown is most effective, if started within an hour after becoming
contaminated.
PART B - MOPP GEAR EXCHANGE
MOPP Gear Exchange is best managed with squad-size elements. Two soldiers
can do this technique, but squad leader supervision is recommended. A lead
team composed of the squad leader and a companion direct the exchange as
they go through it themselves.
MOPP Gear Exchange normally is done within the area of operations by squads
and platoons moving to alternate fighting positions. Time and materials are
at a premium.
Decontamination supplies must be readily available so that
when the mission allows, a squad can stop fighting for the 45 minutes it
takes to change MOPP Gear. Filters for the protective masks and a mask hood
are considered part of the MOPP Gear but are not required to be changed for
this technique. See Table 3-1 on page 3-4.
Each soldier wears or carries one complete set of MOPP Gear.
The company
stocks a second complete set, sized and identified for each soldier. When a
squad or platoon undergoes a MOPP Gear Exchange, the company sends a supply
vehicle to rendezvous with the contaminated element at the Operational
Decontamination Site.
The vehicle carries replacement MOPP Gear and any
decontaminants required.
Dry mix STB will be used to decontaminate the
soldiers' individual fighting equipment. Appendix C gives instruction for
preparing STB dry mix. Plan to use about 40 pounds of dry mix per
CM2300
3-2
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