Chem-bio readiness doubtful at home and away, says GAO.

• Author: Magnuson, Stew
• Position: SECURITY BEAT: Homeland Defense Briefs

IT UNDOUBTEDLY WAS coincidence that a Government Accountability Office report that chided the military for being unprepared to respond to chemical attacks surfaced the same day when a chlorine tanker crashed into an Iraqi cafe.

Six persons were killed and dozens more were injured in the terrorist attack.

Members of the chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, high-explosive (CBRNE) defense community have warned for years about the possible use of toxic industrial chemicals such as chlorine, which may not be as deadly as the weaponized gases such as sarin, VX or tabun, but are easier to acquire.

"Most Army units tasked with providing chemical and biological defense support are not adequately staffed, equipped, or trained to perform their missions," said the report, which is entitled, "Management Actions Are Needed to Close the Gap between Army Chemical Unit Preparedness and Stated National Priorities." The report blamed the transfers of chem-bio specialists to other units to support the ongoing wars.

The National Guard CBRNE units are in worse shape because of personnel shortages caused by overseas...