Introduction
INTRODUCTION TO
PLANNING RADIOLOGICAL
AND CHEMICAL SURVEYS
Threat forces have large arsenals of both chemical and nuclear weapons and are prepared to use them.
Contamination from nuclear and chemical weapons poses a hazard to US forces. Nuclear bursts create
local contamination of an area around ground zero and may produce radioactive fallout which can
contaminate thousands of square kilometers. Some chemical agents create airborne hazards which can
be carried downwind for long distances, while others can contaminate terrain with long-term
effectiveness. The areas affected by residual effect are determined primarily by the speed and direction
of the wind in the target area and the persistency of the agent used. The contamination effects of NBC
weapons are a necessary consideration in preplanning future operations in which friendly forces may be
required to occupy and operate in, or avoid, contaminated terrain. Chemical and radiological surveys
may be required to determine the extent of contamination. Proper planning of radiological or chemical
surveys is essential in determining if a survey is needed and to the efficient conduct of necessary
surveys.
In this subcourse you will learn the elements of planning radiological and chemical surveys. You will
also learn to actually plan both radiological and chemical surveys.
DESCRIBE ELEMENTS OF
PLANNING RADIOLOGICAL/CHEMICAL SURVEYS
In order to describe the elements of planning radiological and chemical surveys, you must know basic
planning principles, concepts of radiological and chemical operations, and basic information about
chemical and radiological surveys. You will learn this information in Lesson 1.
PLAN A RADIOLOGICAL SURVEY
To plan a radiological survey, you must receive and process NBC 4 (Nuclear) Reports. You must
analyze the operational situation, including known contamination, tactical situation, personnel and
equipment availability, weather, terrain, time of day, radiation dose status of survey party, and
availability of maps. You must determine the type of survey to conduct the amount of detail required,
and the method of control. You must co-ordinate after-mission decontamination, prepare an overlay,
and compile information for briefing your supervisor. The information to enable you to accomplish
these duties is contained in Lesson 2.
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