AFI 11-2C-130v3 - BITS

AFI11-2C-130V3 23 APRIL 2012 137
Chapter 10
AIRCREW OPERATIONS IN CHEMICAL, BIOLOGICAL, RADIOLOGICAL, AND
NUCLEAR THREAT ENVIRONMENT
10.1. Overview. The proliferation of Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN)
weapons and the means to deliver them present serious security threats to the global operations
of air mobility forces. This chapter describes the CBRN threat, passive defense measures to
mitigate that threat, and guidance for ground and flight operations in a contaminated
environment. For additional guidance see the AMC C-CBRN CONOPS.
10.2. Understanding the CBRN Threat.
10.2.1. Chemical Weapons. Militarily significant chemical weapons include nerve, blister,
choking, and blood agents. A key point for aircrew members to remember is that time is on
your side. The ultra-violet (UV) rays of the sun, high temperatures, and high absorption rates
of chemicals all decrease their lethality. Most chemical agents will either evaporate or
absorb into surfaces. For decontamination, cleaning with hot soap and water and/or a 5
percent bleach solution currently appears to be the best and most practical method of
removing chemical agents that may remain as a contact hazard on glass, and unpainted metal.
Currently, the only decontaminate authorized for use on aircraft is soap and water. NOTE:
Recent tests indicate that as a decontaminated aircraft dries, the absorbed chemical warfare
agent (CWA) may resurface from painted surfaces causing contact and vapor hazards.
10.2.2. Biological Weapons. Biological warfare agents (BWA) are normally divided into
three areas: bacteria (i.e., Anthrax) that live outside the cell, reproduce, and are normally
susceptible to antibiotics; toxins (i.e., Ricin), that are poisons produced by living organisms
or plants; and viruses (i.e., Smallpox) that normally require the host of a living cell to survive
and reproduce. Viruses and toxins do not respond to antibiotics. It is probable that the
medical community would be the first to recognize that an upsurge in ―flu-like symptoms‖ is
actually a bio attack. Although BWA are degraded by UV rays, humidity and high/low
temperatures, some BWA (i.e., Anthrax spores) may have a long life, lasting decades under
the right conditions. Current immunizations and good personal hygiene help prevent
infection.
10.2.3. Radiological Weapons. The radiation dispersal device (RDD), or so-called ―dirty
bomb,‖ is the typical radiological weapon. RDD is any device that disseminates radioactive
material without using a nuclear detonation. Key points to remember are that shielding and
distance are the best defenses against radiation exposure.
10.2.4. Nuclear Weapons. The threat from a nuclear device is from the initial blast, heat,
initial radiation, and residual fallout. In addition, the Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) from a
nuclear detonation can damage electronic equipment. The best protection is a combination of
shielding, distance from the blast, and limited time of exposure.
10.3. CBRN Passive Defense Measures. Passive defense measures are those activities
conducted to negate, contain, and manage the effects of CBRN attack. Passive defense measures
include pre, trans, and post-attack actions designed to mitigate the CBRN threat through
contamination avoidance, protection, and contamination control.