MINEFIELD BREACHING CASE NARRATIVE, FOX VEHICLE INFORMATION PAPER RELEASED

[DOD]

NEWS RELEASE

No. 406-97
(703)695-3912(media)
_IMMEDIATE RELEASE_ July 29, 1997 (703)697-5737(public/industry)

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MINEFIELD BREACHING CASE NARRATIVE, FOX VEHICLE INFORMATION PAPER RELEASED

The Defense Department released the third in a series of case
narratives and the first information paper related to the Department
of Defense's ongoing investigation into Gulf War illnesses. The
information paper gives a technical and in-depth description of Fox
chemical reconnaissance vehicle capabilities.

The narrative focuses on the reported detection and possible exposures
associated with the 1st and 2nd Marine Divisions' breaching operations
through two minefields in southern Kuwait on the morning of February
24, 1991. Considering all available evidence to date, it concludes
that the detection of chemical warfare agents and exposure of Marines
to them was unlikely.

Case narratives and information papers are part of the Defense
Department's continuing effort to inform the public of its efforts to
better understand the nature and possible causes of the illnesses
being experienced by many Gulf War veterans.

"Case narratives are not intended as final reports," said Bernard
Rostker, special assistant for Gulf War illnesses. "This is an interim
report about what we currently know about the Marine's minefield
breaching operations." Other narratives about key events and issues
surrounding the Gulf War experience are being prepared and will be
released as soon as they are completed. This report, along with the
documentary evidence and personal interviews will be posted on the
GulfLINK Internet site (www.gulflink.osd.mil) as well as future
narratives.

In addition to informing the public, narratives are intended to open
up a dialogue with Gulf War veterans who may have additional
information or who can clarify the events at the minefield breaching
operations are encouraged to call the Gulf War incident hotline at
1-800-472-6719.

Gulf War veterans experiencing health problems are encouraged to
receive a free health screening through the DoD's or Department of
Veterans' Affairs health registries. Those individuals still on active
duty, military retirees, or those affiliated with the Reserve
components can arrange a medical examination through the Comprehensive
Clinical Evaluation Program at 1-800-796-9699. Those no longer
affiliated with DoD, including reserve personnel, can arrange a
medical examination through the VA's Persian Gulf Registry at
1-800-749-8387.

_[END]_

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_INTERNET AVAILABILITY: This document is available on DefenseLINK, a
World Wide Web Server on the Internet, at:
http://www.dtic.mil/defenselink/ _

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[1]DefenseLINK Home Page [2]DefenseLINK News Home Page [3]Get original
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References

1. http://www.dtic.dla.mil/defenselink/index.html
2. http://www.dtic.dla.mil/defenselink/news/index.html
3. ftp://ftp.dtic.mil/pub/deflink/bt406-97.web