NY Times is finally starting to share some of the info on chemical weapons stockpiles we found in Iraq. This is a pretty tame version of what I've been told over the years regarding chemical and biological stockpiles. While we didn't find any active programs, we did find a lot of stockpiles with tons of viable weapons. I never understood why the DoD wouldn't release the information (fully understood why State kept it under wraps given their political orientation) but guess they finally either had to disclose or lose the scoop.
Given the somewhat left leaning orientation of the Times, you can probably imagine that this is a highly sanitized version of what we really encountered. One thing that I found really interesting is that they discuss binary chemical weapons as being found without reviewing why one might use that approach to munitions (binary weapons make is easier to handle the weapon and greatly extends the shelf life of same). Another thing is that now we are supposed to be worried about ISIS digging up and using weapons that supposedly never existed. Should be interesting as more guys start disclosing what they saw and had to deal with.
Enjoy!
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2014/10/14/world/middleeast/us-casualties-of-iraq-chemical-weapons.html?smid=tw-share&_r=3
Given the somewhat left leaning orientation of the Times, you can probably imagine that this is a highly sanitized version of what we really encountered. One thing that I found really interesting is that they discuss binary chemical weapons as being found without reviewing why one might use that approach to munitions (binary weapons make is easier to handle the weapon and greatly extends the shelf life of same). Another thing is that now we are supposed to be worried about ISIS digging up and using weapons that supposedly never existed. Should be interesting as more guys start disclosing what they saw and had to deal with.
Enjoy!
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2014/10/14/world/middleeast/us-casualties-of-iraq-chemical-weapons.html?smid=tw-share&_r=3