5-24. General
As in all combat situations, the protection of medical supplies
and equipment on the integrated battlefield is a must. Without
medical supplies and equipment, HSS will be greatly diminished.
Thus, the flow of supplies must continue to forward units as
they are requested, including during NBC operations. For detailed
information on providing health service logistics see FM 4-02.1 and
FM 8-10-9.
5-25. Protecting Supplies in Storage
Protecting supplies can be accomplished by placing them under
tents, using plastic wraps, or providing storage warehouses with
CB filtered-conditioned (heated or cooled) air systems. Wrapping
supplies in two layers of plastic material provides protection from
most agents for a short period of time; the thicker the plastic
material, the longer the protection. Effectiveness of protective
procedures can be checked by placing M9 tape on supplies and
between layers of the covering. Protection from the thermal and
blast effects of nuclear detonations requires much more elaborate
measures. Placing the supplies in trenches, inside earthen berms,
behind stonewalls, or in other field expedient facilities will
enhance the protective posture of supplies from the nuclear
effects. Even when taking these protective measures, a quantity
of supplies will become contaminated and must be replaced. Plans
should be in place for replacement of lost items.
5-26. Protecting Supplies During Shipment
During shipment, supplies are protected by placement inside
MILVANs, in covered enclosed vehicles, or by wrapping them in
several layers of plastic, in tarpaulins, or in other protective
material. To monitor exposure of supplies to chemical agents
during shipment, place M9 detector paper between the wrappings.
If exposure is limited to the outer layer, simple removal of this
layer may be all that is required to eliminate the contamination.
Decontamination is much easier when the supplies and equipment have
been protected by multilayers of over-wraps.
5-27. Organizational Maintenance
Maintenance on vehicles, equipment, and medical equipment will
become much more complex under NBC conditions. Most chemical agents
are soluble in organic solvents such as gasoline, motor oils, and
lubricants. The agent may be removed from the equipment by these
solvents, but exposure to the contaminated solvents will produce
the same effects as exposure to the agent on the equipment. The
agents may seep down around the threads of bolts, in cracks and
crevices of the equipment, and inside the cabinets or enclosures
of equipment. These potential contamination sources produce an
increased hazard to maintenance personnel. Decontamination of
some items, especially medical equipment, may be a problem for
maintenance personnel. The use of standard decontamination agents
will cause damage beyond repair to most medical equipment and
electronic equipment. In some instances, removal of chemical
agents will require aging (off-gassing) of the agent. Turning the
equipment on and running it, or just exposing the equipment to
warm air will speed the off-gassing process. Maintenance personnel
must perform all procedures in MOPP Level 4 until decontamination
is completed. Radiation will penetrate the metal structures of
vehicles and other equipment; radioactive material will be absorbed
into the lubricants and fuels. Decontamination of this type of
contamination is very difficult, if not impossible. Personnel
must use radiation detection equipment to determine the extent of
contamination and decontaminate the items as much as possible.
Dusting or washing with water can remove any fallout on the surface
of vehicles and nonelectrical/electronic components of equipment.
Removal of radioactivity absorbed into metals or mixed in
lubricants and fuels is beyond the capabilities of unit personnel.
See FM 3-5 for decontamination procedures.