Operation Desert Storm

Although U.S. armed forces in the Persian Gulf did not experience shortages of chemical protective suits, masks, or mask filters, the Defense Department (DOD) was not adequately prepared for chemical warfare. Reserve stocks of chemical equipment have been below authorized levels for years, and many troops were issued outdated suits and masks. Had the conflict lasted longer and chemical weapons been used, worldwide suit stockpiles could have been severely depleted, placing U.S. forces in other areas at greater risk. Chemical suit shortages and chemical mask fielding problems are long-standing. The Gulf war underscores the problems that DOD has had in finding enough manufacturers able and willing to produce suits at a price DOD is willing to pay and in ensuring that the manufacturers of both suits and masks meet scheduled delivery dates. DOD has started to address these problems, but a more comprehensive approach is needed.

GAO found that: (1) although U.S. armed forces participating in Operations Desert Storm and Desert Shield did not experience shortages of chemical protective suits, masks, or mask filters, DOD was not adequately prepared for chemical warfare; (2) reserve stockpiles of chemical protective suits may have been significantly depleted if the war had lasted longer or chemical weapons had been used; (3) many troops were issued older suits and masks that provided adequate protection but lacked benefits found in newer suits; (4) to prevent the shortage of critical items during Operations Desert Storm and Desert Shield, DOD established a new organization to identify worldwide stockpiles of chemical equipment and transferred the supplies to the Persian Gulf, purchased additional suits, stepped up efforts to rebuild older masks, and awarded contracts for mask filters; (5) DOD has long-standing problems finding enough manufacturers capable of and willing to produce suits at a price it is willing to pay and ensuring that manufacturers meet scheduled delivery dates; and (6) DOD has partially addressed its suit and mask problems, but a more comprehensive approach is needed.

Recommendations

Our recommendations from this work are listed below with a Contact for more information. Status will change from "In process" to "Open," "Closed - implemented," or "Closed - not implemented" based on our follow up work.

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