Summary

Chemical and Biological Defense: Observations on Actions Taken to Protect Military Forces

T-NSIAD-00-49  October 20, 1999

Full Report (PDF, 10 pages)   

Problems during the Gulf War revealed that U.S. troops were poorly prepared for surviving and operating in a chemically or biologically contaminated environment. During the 1990s, GAO issued a host of reports and testimony on the ability of U.S. forces to survive and function on a contaminated battlefield. This testimony summarizes the findings of those reports and testimony and describes GAO's efforts to update the status of the Defense Department's actions.

Subject Terms

Anthrax
Biological agents
Biological warfare
Biological weapons
Chemical agents
Chemical warfare
Combat readiness
Defense capabilities
Emergency preparedness
Homeland security
Immunization services
Military personnel
Military research and development
Strategic planning
Terrorism
DOD Anthrax Immunization Program
DOD Chemical and Biological Defense Program
DOD-Customs Service Counterproliferation Program
Persian Gulf War