Newsletter Content 2/2014 Joint Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defence Centre of Excellence
Transcription
Newsletter Content 2/2014 Joint Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defence Centre of Excellence
Newsletter 2/2014 Joint Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defence Centre of Excellence Content CBRN Defence in the Year 2020 (and Beyond)? Consecration Ceremony of the Colonel Janos Zelenák‘s Tombstone Novichok Agents – Project FOLIANT Masaryk’s University Summer Camp at the Joint CBRN Defence COE International Radiological Assistance Program Training for Emergency Response (I-RAPTER) Basic Course 2014 CBRN Courses Availability for 2015 Newsletter Joint Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defence Centre of Excellence 2/2014 Newsletter Joint Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defence Centre of Excellence Dear Reader, It is a pleasure and an honour for me as the Chief of Staff to provide the introduction to this second COE Newsletter of 2014. As you can tell by the wide diversity of topics in this newsletter, the Joint CBRN Defence COE (JCBRN Defence COE) continues to be involved in a wide variety of subject areas in support of NATO our Sponsoring Nations and other partners. Requests for our support and participation across the CBRN spectrum continue to demonstrate the professionalism and expertise of the JCBRN Defence COE. We are grateful for the support we have received to date and we are excited about the challenges that we face in the future. 2014 has been a year of transition for the JCBRN Defence COE. We continue to progress towards reaching Full Operational Capability (FOC) of the CBRN Reach Back Section within our Operations Support Department. The progress on our Reach Back Operations room has been substantial. We have also increased our Operational Planning Support capabilities and are working to continually expanding our Reach Back Secondary Support network. Our Transformation Support Department continues to be heavily involved in all aspects of NATO transformation, concept and doctrine development, experimentation and especially activities in support of the NATO Defence Planning Process. 2014 is a transitional period for NATO as well and the JCBRN Defence COE expects to play a vital role in assisting in the development and implementation of all aspects of NATO CBRN Defence as we look towards the future in an ever changing environment. Our Training, Education, and Exercise Department is also in the process of significant change. We are excited about the recent approval from Allied Command Transformation to initiate the Quality Assurance (QA) evaluation process which we expect to complete by the end of this year. The QA process will ensure the JCBRN Defence COE meets the rigorous academic standards required to provide the necessary CBRN related training for NATO and our partners. Our 2015 course schedule complements current CBRN training as we develop and provide advanced and specialized CBRN training classes. The vision of the JCBRN Defence COE continues to be focused on becoming a recognized advisory body for NATO, our Sponsoring Nations and other partners; to be pro-active, flexible and responsive to requests and needs; and to provide the best military advice on CBRN Defence. Author: COL Daniel D. Deadrich (USA) Newsletter Joint Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defence Centre of Excellence CBRN Defence in the Year 2020 (and Beyond)? How will a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) threat look like in the year 2020, how will NATO perceive that threat? How and with which capabilities will that threat be countered? Which capabilities does NATO, its member states, possess currently – quantitative and qualitative wise? Where are the gaps and shortfalls? How could NATO close those gaps and shortfalls? To answer those questions the Joint CBRN Defence Capability Development Group (JCBRNDCDG) established a Team of Experts (ToE) in October 2013. LtCol Bernd Allert acts as chairperson, Cpt Sebastian Herrmann as secretary of „NATO‘s Comprehensive CBRN Defence Concept Capability Analysis Team of Experts (CBRND 2020 ToE)“. The two of them have been provided by the Policy & Forces Development Division of the German Bundeswehr CBRN Defence Command. TOE’s work is based on the very recently Newsletter Joint Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defence Centre of Excellence 3 by the North Atlantic Council (NAC) endorsed „NATO’s Comprehensive CBRN Defence Concept“. The ToE conducted a workshop at 314th CBRN Monitoring Centre in HOSTIVICE close to PRAGUE/CZE from 17 to 19 June 2014. Aim of the workshop was also to co-ordinate present working results, but mainly to identify capability gaps within NATO and its member states, and finally to determine a way ahead. Czech Republic, Germany, France, United Kingdom, The Netherlands, Poland, United States; as well as NATO HQ – IMS/P&P(NUC/ CBRND), SHAPE, SACT, the Joint CBRN Defence Centre of Excellence (JCBRN Defence COE), and NATO Communications & Information Agency (NCIA) were represented. How is the JCBRN Defence COE involved? The JCBRN Defence COE volunteered to take over the working package “Identify Operational Challenges 2020”. LtCol Stefano Pensalfini and LtCol Stelian Radulescu represented the COE at the workshop and provided valuable contributions to the gap analysis. The Czech hosts prepared the workshop in an excellent manner, and thus contributed to the success of the workshop. In addition, many participants were challenged by the FIFA Soccer World Cup Competition. Simultaneously to the icebreaker at the first evening, the match Germany vs. Portugal took place. The ToE will produce a report addressing Joint CBRN Defence Capability Development Group (JCBRND-CDG), and to present the report to the JCBRND-CDG at its meeting in PRAGUE in October 2014. That report then should provide concrete recommendations for further actions. Author: LTC Bernd Allert (DEU) Consecration Ceremony of the Colonel Janos Zelenák‘s Tombstone The Joint CBRN Defence COE (JCBRN Defence COE) was invited to the consecration ceremony of the Colonel Janos Zelenák’s tombstone on 6th of June 2014 in Budapest. As a response to the invitation of the deceased’s family and the Hungarian General Staff the JCBRN Defence COE delegation participated in the commemoration. Held with militar y honors the commemoration was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Defence and the General Staff of Hungarian Defence Forces, the delegations of CBRN Defence units and fellow soldiers and friends. During the ceremony speeches were given by the representatives Military Ordinaries of the Roman Catholic Church and the Defence Administration Office of the HUN MOD. The JCBRN Defence COE delegation was specially greeted by the widow, and she highlighted the gesture with which the JCBRN Defence COE cherishes the memory of Colonel János Zelenák. The JCBRND COE intends to maintain the relationship with the deceased’s family in the future to remember to our deeply appreciated and respected colleague who contributed significantly to the development not only the JCBRN Defence COE, but also the Alliance in the CBRN defence domain. Author: LTC Ferenc MENYHÁRT (HUN) 4 Newsletter Joint Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defence Centre of Excellence Novichok Agents – Project FOLIANT In the first half of the seventies, the Soviet Union decided to incorporate all achievements reached in chemical weapons research into the FOLIANT project, effectively side-lining their existing chemical weapons just before the expected adoption of the Chemical Weapons Convention. The FOLIANT project introduced new unitary or binary nerve agents with increased toxicity and volatility. Standard industrial intermediate chemical products or compounds used for the production of older types of chemical warfare agents were used as precursors in the last stage of synthesis. It is well known that at least three unitary chemical substances were developed as a result of this project, named as A-230, A-232 and A-234. Several binary chemical weapons were invented on its basis with a code name Novichok. In September 1192, Vil Mirzayanov, State organic chemistry and technology institute employee (GNIIOHT, Moscow), provided the first information about the secret project FOLIANT in the ‘Moscow News’ journal. He claimed that the Soviet Union continued to develop and test fourth generation chemical weapons in contravention of the international treaties. Consequently, Vil Mirzayanov was imprisoned but on his release he emigrated to the United States. All our available information about Novichok is derived from Vil Mirzayanov`s interview and publications and also from L.A. Fedorov, director of the non-governmental organization ‘Union for chemical security’. Russian Federation officials have never confirmed or denied this information. According to Mirzayanov, the first in the series of A chemical substances were synthesized by P. P. Kirpichev (GNIIOHT, Volskaja branch office) in 1973. The most toxic substances in this series, A-230 and A-232, were hypothetically produced in the mid-1970s. They are similar in structure to the well-known substance VX (essentially phosphoryl thiocholine). The substances developed in S. Kirpichiev laboratory had a unique structure, dissimilar from type V substances. They did not have the C-P linkage characteristic for most organophosphorus nerve agents. There was an oxygen atom between carbon and phosphor (-C-O-P relation) which is the usual chemical structure in most of the modern pesticides. The formula of the toxic substances in Series A has never been published, but in the last few years information emerged that it is a substance derived from dihaloformaldoxime. These assumptions are based on the published works of Soviet chemists who worked on project FOLIANT. Newsletter Joint Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defence Centre of Excellence 5 As suggested by S. L. Hoenig, an expert in chemical terrorism, the A-series may have the following chemical formula: Substance A-232 was made only as a test dose, but in the opinion of foreign experts in case of need it would be possible in Novocheboksarsk quickly to start production of 2-2500 tons of A-232 annually. A physical-chemical property of A-232 allows its use in winter conditions. Later, based on A-232 and its ethyl analogue of A-234 binary systems of Novichok were produced. This material was produced in small quantities (tens of tons in Shikhany and Volgograd). When producing the A-230 was used as a precursor methylphosphonium chloride, which is also an important reactant in the synthesis of Sarin and Soman. Like a second binary component it is placed alcohol or acetonitrile. At low temperatures in winter A-230 solidified to a crystalline mass. In order to prevent crystallization dimethylformamide was added to the formula but this significantly reduced the overall toxicity of the mixture. After performing field tests in Uzbekistan in 1988/89 on each of the polygons substance A-230 was finally included in the arsenal of the Soviet Army. Opinions on the structure of Novichoks are not uniform. Several groups of organophosphorus agents have been claimed to be Novichok agents. First are a group of organophosphorus compounds with an attached dihaloformaldoxime group. These compounds are extensively documented in Soviet literature of the time, but it is unclear whether they are all members of the potent Novichok compounds. Some examples of the first group of compounds reported in the literature are shown below, Novichok 5 is 3-chloro2-methylpropyl ((chlorofluoromethylene) a m i n o) ox y p h o s p h o n o f l u o r i d a t e and Novichok 7 is 3-chloro-2methylbut yl((c hlorof luoromethylene) a m i n o) o x y p h o s p h o n o f l u o r i d a t e . They are binary agents in which the appropriately substituted 2-methyl-1, 3, 2 - dioxaphospholane is reacted with dichlorofluoro(nitroso)methane. Mirzayanov gives somewhat different structures for Novichok agents in his autobiography, as shown below. He makes clear that a large number of compounds were made, and many of the less potent derivatives were reported in open literature as new organophosphate insecticides, so that the secret chemical weapons program could be disguised as legitimate pesticide research. If the binary agents are reacted in advance, they are known as A-232 and A-234 respectively. Since neither of the 2 chemicals making the binary agent are controlled under the moratorium on nerve agents, it meant that the Soviet Union was not in breach of this moratorium. While neither of the precursors are common, they do find legitimate use in the chemical industry and so are commercially available. It is a known fact that Novichoks are able to overcome chemical protection. They can penetrate the rubber seals and activated carbon filters are unable to prevent the ingress of contaminated air. They are also highly corrosive. Special tests of Novichok properties in extreme conditions on a polygon Nukus (Uzbekistan) were identified as successful. Regarding the effects on the human body, Novichoks belongs to a group known as organophosphate acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. According to unauthorized sources the minimal toxicity of chemical warfare agents based on Novichok is like VX (A-230) and some of them (A232, A-234) should have a toxicity of 8 to 10 times higher. If this information is confirmed, then the existing parameters of the detection means available are no longer sufficient. The only exceptions are instruments based on biochemical cholinesterase reaction, because their sensitivity is correlated with an inhibitory effect and thereby the toxicity of nerve agents. Other possible structures for Novichoks are derived from 3,5,7 ... 2-fluoro-4,5-dialkyl1,3,2-dioxaphospholane. novichok - # novichok - 5 novichok - 7 Author: MAJ Ivana MORAVCOVA (CZE) 6 Newsletter Joint Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defence Centre of Excellence Masaryk’s University Summer Camp at the Joint CBRN Defence COE The Centre for International Cooperation (CIC) at Masaryk University organizes annually a few short term programmes for international (and local) students. These programmes are offered usually outside standard academic term – often in summer – which allows for a relaxing atmosphere, enhancement of the social ties between the teacher and students, experimenting with curriculum, multidisciplinary focus, and above all connection of the formal tuition with the out-of-class academic activities. The activities might take a form of a visit to a historical place connected with the subject of the course, or an excursion to an institution that is relevant for a given course. Such visits are in fact one of the most critical elements of a successful short-term programme. After all the participating students need to gain an extra academic experience, as otherwise there is no point for them to leave their home campuses. The Joint CBRN Defence Centre of Excellence (JCBRN Defence COE) in Vyškov is one of the providers of such an experience for students in the summer programme “International Security: a European perspective: ‚Military and nonmilitary threats in the modern world‘”” that CIC offers to international students. This course is designed to give students a thorough understanding of the fundamental security issues of the modern world. While discussing the experiences of European Newsletter Joint Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defence Centre of Excellence 7 states’ striving for security, students come to comprehend changing nature of the notion of security during the recent times. Taught in the Czech Republic, the program is ideally located to present a balanced perspective on both the traditional and modern aspects of international security. The visit to the JCBRN Defence COE took place in the second week of the threeweek-long course, within a module that looks at military threats in the contemporary world, especially the proliferation of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear weapons and trends in the global conventional arms trade. Students are therefore able to compare the theoretical background and typology of proliferation that they are exposed to at the classroom, with the actual initiatives NATO has established in the sphere of the joint defence. In addition, the excursion to the JCBRN Defence COE neatly helps to curriculum of the first week, when different actors of the security architecture in Europe are presented and a visit to one of the NATO COEs illustrates importance of communication and cooperation for the European security. Students were welcomed by the JCBRN Defence COE Deputy Director COL Schulte and Subject Matter Expert (SME) from the JCBRN Defence COE Modelling and Simulation Section (M&S Section) MAJ Chylik introduced the organization, its goals and vision afterwards. The session continued with informational briefing on M&S capabilities and discussion. The students then were given chance to try for themselves a modelling exercise using CBRN software, with the focus on prediction of CBRN attack, projecting possible scope of the event. This was an interesting way of evaluating different factors and their impacts on the severity of such attack. “As always, the visit to the centre fulfilled the goal. University wants its students to experience – to see how concepts and theoretical knowledge become operational in practice, this time in the area of providing for security, specifically the modern military threats of CBRN,“ said Richard Turcsányi from the Centre for International Cooperation, who organized this visit. A group of 11 students travelled to Vyškov last July for the third time, and they, as well as their colleagues in the previous two editions of the summer programme, returned enthusiastically. CIC therefore hopes that the cooperation with the JCBRN Defence COE will continue in the future, and it will help to keep the quality of the students’ experience high for the years to come. Authors: WO Kamil Sestak (CZE) Martin Glogar (Masaryk University CZE) International Radiological Assistance Program Training for Emergency Response (I-RAPTER) Basic Course 2014 Based on the cooperation between United States Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and Joint CBRN Defence COE (JCBRN Defence COE) another “International Radiological Assistance Program Training for Emergency Response” (I-RAPTER) Basic Course was successfully conducted during the period 19 – 22 May 2014. Course was officially opened by the main supervisor of I-RAPTER retired admiral Joseph KROL (USA) and TEED member LTC Adolf LABAK. During the four days long course, 5 experienced NNSA instructors shared experience with 15 students from 7 countries (AFG, BEL, BGR, DEU, ITA, NLD, and POL) in order to provide theoretical information and practical training to effectively respond to radiological incidents and accidents. Instructions were provided through briefings, equipment demonstrations and field exercise employing a wide variety of radiation detection devices, radiation sources and personal protective equipment. During a few theoretical lessons students got familiar with not only variety of detection devices but also with procedures related to this issue. Third day was dedicated to the practical training. Students were divided in three groups and each had to undergo searching procedure and to locate and identify a hidden radioactive source in the luggage. Final exercise was radiation survey in the garrison area and in the Air Museum Area in Vyškov. Students utilized Spectral Advanced Radiological Computer System (SPARC) for mobile detection. SPARC is a versatile multi-platform radiation detection system designed for use in both ground and aerial detection and it is mounted in two vans. Students successfully discovered two radiation sources inside of Aero L39 Albatros training aircrafts in the area of the Air Museum. Students read the spectrum of the radioactive sources and isotope of Europium 152 was identified. These radioactive sources are commonly used for military aircrafts as icing indicators. This year’s iteration of the I-RAPTER course was again evaluated as a very useful course with great benefit for professional development of the students. It was stressed by NNSA personnel that the continuous cooperation between JCBRN Defence COE and NNSA is beneficial for both organizations. International Radiological Consequence Management Course (6 - 9 October), I-RAPTER Advanced and International Medical Management of Radiation Injuries Course (18 - 22 November) are three more courses which are going to be organized this year as a result of this cooperation. The JCBRN Defence COE as in the previous year offers in 2015 following courses: ► I-RAPTER Basic Course (25 – 28 May); ► International Radiological Consequence Management Course (25 – 28 May); ►International Medical Management of Radiation Injuries Course (5 – 8 October); ► I-RAPTER Advanced Course (23 – 26 November). Authors: CPT Gorazd STERGAR (SVN), WO Pavel DAVID (CZE) 8 Newsletter Joint Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defence Centre of Excellence CBRN Courses Availability for 2015 Introduction to the International CBRN Training Curriculum Course, 20 – 24 APR; The mission of the course is to familiarize the participants with the International CBRN Training Curriculum, provide the participants with the knowledge and understanding required for implementation the CBRN Training Curriculum within their own nations and ultimately enhance interoperability among first responders in an international response to CBRN events. CBRN-Analysis Super User Course, 12 - 13 MAY; This course introduces students being experienced CBRN-Analysis users to the latest CBRNAnalysis program release and provides knowledge about new and improved program functions. It will enable the students to perform as local or national Super User Contact with sufficient knowledge to assist less experienced operators, act as advisor for establishing CBRN-Analysis communication and making exercises. International Radiological Assistance Program Training for Emergency Response (I-RAPTER) - Basic Course, 25 – 28 MAY; The aim is to provide radiation protection specialists, first responders and emergency managers with practical information to effectively respond to radiological incidents and accidents. The course provides instructions through briefings, equipment demonstrations and filed exercises employing a wide variety of radiation detection instrumentations, radiation sources and personal protective equipment. International Medical Management of Radiation Injuries (I-MED) Course, 25 – 28 MAY; The course consists of a combination of classroom lectures, demonstrations and exercises that reinforce the course lessons. The course emphasizes the medical treatment of the patients and methods to reduce the risk of radiation exposure and contamination of both, the patient and health care provider. The course is designed to teach attendees how to respond to medical emergencies involving radiation exposure, contamination and how to improve the treatment and care of the injured. Newsletter Joint Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defence Centre of Excellence 9 Newsletter Joint Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defence Centre of Excellence 2/2014 Newsletter Joint Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defence Centre of Excellence Joint Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defence Centre of Excellence Newsletter This email address is ready for your comments or questions! [email protected] JCBRN Defence COE Newsletter Team JCBRN Defence COE Víta Nejedlého Vyškov 682 03 Czech Republic Assistant phone: +420 973 452 805 Fax: +420 973 452 800 Mobil: +420 777 702 858 IVSN: 925 4200 452 805 E-mail: [email protected] Editorial Committee: COL Jaroslav BOREK, MAJ Elemir KUREJ Photos: COE Archive, 31st CBRN Regiment Liberec Archive, Web: www.jcbrncoe.cz © 2014 Joint Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defence Centre of Excellence (JCBRN Defence COE); www.jcbrncoe.cz All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means - electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior written permission of the JCBRN Defence COE. This restriction does not apply to making digital or hard copies of this publication for internal use within the JCBRN Defence COE, and for personal or educational use when for non-profit and non-commercial purposes, providing that copies bear above mentioned notice and a following citation: The contents of this publication, the views, opinions, findings, interpretations and conclusions expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official position of the JCBRN Defence COE and/or its Sponsoring Nation(s). Although the JCBRN Defence COE has invested the utmost care in its preparation, the JCBRN Defence COE does not accept any liability for the accuracy and completeness of any information, instructions and advice provided, as well as for misprints. No claims can be made against the JCBRN Defence COE with respect to potential consequences from the reliance on information or conclusions contained in this publication. © design/print: www.absreklama.cz [Author(s), [name of the article] x/2014 Newsletter 2014 © JCBRN Defence COE