On Point: the United States Army in Operation Iraqi ... - Boekje Pienter

Robert Woodward, US ArmyFigure 93. The 101st Airborne Division chemical staff surveys a mobile laboratoryand location of MIAs, were searched. Intelligence identified more than 900 sites, not includinga large number of sites that troops reported as suspicious.To execute this task, the CFLCC used every available resource in the theater from thetactical to the national level. CFLCC employed maneuver units from the 3rd ID, 82nd AirborneDivision, and the 101st Airborne Division and personnel from other government agencies aswell. On a daily basis, the CFLCC approved or identified sensitive sites for exploitation basedon current intelligence estimates and staff recommendations. The CFLCC C3 then tasked oneof the major subordinate commands to seize and secure the approved sites. Once a maneuverunit secured a site, specialized teams of Army and other government agency personnel movedin to assess and exploit the sites.Not only did seizing and securing sites divert combat power, most of these missions requiredcombat support and combat service support from the divisions as well. Divisions providedNBC reconnaissance, decontamination teams, medical response, engineers, and militarypolice. Furthermore, divisions provided force protection, life support, and transportation forthe theater-level specialized teams.Two specialized organizations exploited the sites: the site survey teams (SSTs) and themobile exploitation teams (METs). SSTs focused primarily on conducting initial assessmentsof chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) production locations, R&Dfacilities, storage sites, equipment, and other WMD infrastructure. Each SST, approximately26 personnel, consisted of subject matter experts from the Defense Threat Reduction Agency(DTRA); explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) technicians; nuclear, biological, and chemicalreconnaissance specialists; and a support element. Based on its initial assessments, an SST173