Larger elements may divide into squad-size elements for Operational
Decontamination,
but
additional
decontamination
will
be
required.
Decontamination squads from chemical companies provide additional support.
They reinforce the efforts of the battalion PDDE crew. Divisional and corps
chemical officers advise commanders on distributing chemical unit assets to
best support the battle.
3.
Thorough Decontamination.
A Detailed Troop Decontamination is done by the contaminated unit with
technical assistance from the chemical unit (Figure 1-3). The chemical unit
selects a site, sets it up, and conducts the detailed equipment
decontamination with assistance from the contaminated unit.
Thorough Decontamination Operations reduce contamination to negligible risk
levels.
It restores combat power by removing contamination from unit and
individual equipment; troops can then operate equipment safely for extended
periods at reduced MOPP levels.
A small risk from residual contamination
remains, so periodic contamination checks must be made after this operation.
Thorough Decontamination is conducted as part of extensive reconstitution
efforts.
Quantities of decontamination resources, such as water and
decontaminants, are located in brigade, division, and corps support areas.
In some cases, a contaminated unit could conduct a Thorough Decontamination
Operation with organic decontamination assets, but usually support from a
chemical unit is required. After Thorough Decontamination, the unit moves
into an adjacent assembly area for reconstitution.
Support elements from
the brigade, division, or corps replenish combat stock, refit equipment, and
replace personnel and equipment. The reconstituted unit leaves the assembly
area fully operational and fit to return to battle.
Thorough Decontamination is the most thorough way to get rid of
contamination and its hazard.
But this extensive operation often is not
possible. Many valuable resources are required that may not be immediately
available.
The next best solution is to decontaminate only what is
necessary to sustain the force and continue to fight. See Appendix A.
PART E - DECONTAMINATION IN COMBAT
When a force is contaminated, its combat power drops. The most significant
reason for this drop is performance degradation caused by operating in
higher levels of MOPP.
Decontamination can control this drop in combat
power.
To survive, individual soldiers must be the first to react to
contamination. To sustain combat power and continue the mission, elements
of the contaminated unit should follow up decontamination done by
1-9
CM2300
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