Air Force Operations in a Chemical and Biological Environment

Publication Date: January 1998

Publisher: RAND Corporation

Author(s): Irving Lachow; Gregory S. Jones; Brian G. Chow; John Stillion

Research Area: Military and defense

Type: Brief

Abstract:

This documented briefing examines how adversaries might use chemical and biological weapons (CBWs) to paralyze U.S. Air Force operations, how the Air Force might continue operations despite a contaminated environment, and what additional measures might enable the Air Force to sustain tactical aircraft sortie generation and airlift cargo delivery operations in a contaminated environment. The authors developed a methodology to quantify the requirements for adversary CBW attacks against Air Force main operating bases and aerial ports of debarkation, as well as models to estimate the decreased operational capability brought about by wearing protective gear at various levels. The authors suggest new concepts of operations and additional procurement that would permit the Air Force to retain much of its operational tempo, even while under CBW attack.