a. Site Control and Security.
Vehicle commanders must maintain proper intervals between vehicles as they move their vehicles
through the site. Ensure vehicle operators have visual contact with one another so they can see when to
move from concealment to the washdown area. There is only one station in the Vehicle Washdown
Technique.
The operators on the PDDE signal vehicles into position. All personnel in armored vehicles should stay
buttoned up within their vehicles. Personnel in wheeled vehicles should dismount to avoid getting wet,
thus increasing risk of becoming contaminated. The personnel that have dismounted can proceed
directly to the MOPP Gear Exchange area.
b. Processing.
Each vehicle gets about a two minute vehicle washdown with hot, soapy water from the PDDE.
Following washdown, the vehicle moves to the MOPP Gear Exchange area. Soldiers dismount and
conduct MOPP Gear Exchange.
MOPP Gear Exchange is performed by squads or crews so that leaders can control the rate of
overgarment exchange and be able to maintain adequate stocks at company level. Soldiers can work, in
teams of two or three, using the Buddy Method and go through the procedures by themselves. However,
assigning the squad or crew leader as supervisor of the teams can prevent unnecessary exchanges of
MOPP Gear. Use of a leader also helps assure the safety and proper execution of all the steps in the
exchange procedure.
5.
Site Clearance Phase.
Although operational decontamination is done rapidly, with little site preparation, areas will be
contaminated when the operation is completed. This could be a hazard to friendly forces reoccupying
the area.
a. Cleanup.
There is no cleanup required in the Vehicle Washdown area. The battalion PDDE crew cleans up the
MOPP Gear Exchange area. They bury or burn the contaminated refuse and retrieve any unused
WARNING
Burning increases the downwind vapor hazard.
4-23
CM 2506
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