America's Struggle with Chemical-Biological Warfare [Hardcover]

Albert J. Mauroni (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 30, 2000 | ISBN-10: 0275967565 | ISBN-13: 978-0275967567 | Edition: 1

Fear and ignorance have colored the perception of chemical and biological (CB) warfare both in the public and military spheres. Media coverage following the alleged gassing of sheep at Dugway Proving Ground in 1968 has led most people to believe that CB warfare is an unstoppable doomsday weapon of mass destruction. Yet, in 1972, General Creighton Abrams, the Army Chief of Staff, attempted to disestablish the Chemical Corps because he saw no need for it. Had that decision not been reversed in 1976, there would not have been any chemical defense specialists or equipment available for Operation Desert Storm in 1990. This study tracks events relating to the Department of Defense's CB warfare program between 1968 and 1990, as it evolved up to the Gulf War. It also details how the military develops and procures CB defense equipment to protect today's soldiers. Mauroni draws parallels between the development of binary chemical weapons, the chemical demilitarization program, and the DoD CB terrorism response efforts, as each has very similar issues and solutions. He seeks to educate leading officials and the general public about the facts behind CB warfare and the options for coping with it in the future. With proper training and equipment, the challenge of CB warfare can be met and dealt with on the modern battlefield.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“The book is recommended for all the combat units dealing with CB warfare and for those who are concerned with the formulation of deference and national security policies.”–U.S.I Journal

“As a 14 year Army Chemical Corps veteran, Mauroni presents compelling and sound arguments which demand careful consideration...[t]he book captures the day's critical national security questions and is a must-read for experts in the field.”–National Security Studies Quarterly

“A decidely differency take on CBW, Mauroni's book is the place to turn. It is a rare opportunity to read the gospel of a true believer in CBW.”–Air Power History

About the Author

ALBERT J. MAURONI is a management consultant working on Department of Defense chemical-biological defense programs. He has 14 years experience as an Army chemical officer. His previous works include Chemical-Biological Defense: U.S. Military Policies and Decisions in the Gulf War (Praeger, 1998). He lives in Abingdon, Maryland with his wife Roseann and their three dogs.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Praeger Publishers; 1 edition (January 30, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0275967565
• ISBN-13: 978-0275967567
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,136,889 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Al Mauroni is the Counter-WMD Joint Capabilities Team Chief in the Counterproliferation Branch of Headquarters, Air Force A5XP (Strategic Plans and Policy). He has more than 25 years experience in Department of Defense (DoD) chemical, biological, nuclear, and radiological (CBRN) defense policy and program development. He develops and coordinates joint concepts and capabilities, strategic plans and policy, information papers, budget analyses, and related studies on DoD CBRN defense within the areas of passive defense, consequence management, and homeland security.

Mr. Mauroni supported the Defense Threat Reduction Agency between 2005 and 2009. He provided senior executive management advisory and assistance to the Director, Deputy Director, and Chief of Staff. He also supported the DTRA CB Technologies Directorate as the principle advisor to the division chief of the Physical Science and Technology Division for 21 months.

Between 2003 and 2005, Mr. Mauroni supported the Army Acquisition Executive's primary advisor for chemical demilitarization programs (Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Elimination of Chemical Weapons) in the execution of the Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program (CSEPP).

Mr. Mauroni supported the Joint Chiefs of Staff, J-8 (Joint Requirements Office for CBRN Defense), between 2002 and 2003, coordinating a worldwide assessment of combatant command CBRN defense capabilities, addressing programming and budgeting issues, and supporting the CB installation protection program, to include development of a joint concept of employment for CBRN defense of military installations and facilities. Between 1999 and 2002, he worked for the J-5 (Strategy and Policy Directorate), where he developed Joint Staff and combatant command positions on DOD CBRN defense issues. Efforts included developing rationale to expand the Army's Technical Escort Unit by 152 bodies, developing a joint concept of employment for biological standoff detection, and developing an interim DOD policy on CW decontamination.

He supported the U.S. Army Soldier and Biological-Chemical Command and the Joint Service Materiel Group at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland between 1992 and 1999, where he supported the management of joint CB defense research and development programs and the DOD Domestic Preparedness Program (120-city trainer program. He developed the CB Helpline for the Domestic Preparedness Program and was a federal trainer at eight of the 120 cities.

Mr. Mauroni served as a U.S. Army chemical officer for seven years before leaving active duty in 1992. He holds a master's degree in administration from Central Michigan University and a bachelor's degree in chemistry from Carnegie-Mellon University. He is a member of the Air Force Association, Army Historical Foundation, Association of the United States Army, Chemical Corps Regimental Association, and National Defense Industrial Association.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Important Information for CBRN Professionals, October 21, 2006

By 

Thomas W. Spoehr - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: America's Struggle with Chemical-Biological Warfare (Hardcover)

Not for the casual or typical reader, "America's Struggle..." is great background information for those closely engaged in the CBRN business. Love or hate Al Mauroni, he is the only contemporary author writing on the specifics of DoD's CBRN defense program. Particularly interesting is his description of the near death of the U.S. Chemical Corps and how circumstances and the actions of some key leaders helped preserve this key capability for the U.S. Army. Sections of the book dealing with materiel programs such as decontamination and protection detract and divert the reader's attention from the true strength of the book which is the history of policy making and action in this key area. Going for over $100 on Amazon, don't pay that much, but if you get your hands on this book, it is worth a read.