MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, Kaneohe Bay -- Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463 took the lead in assisting the Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Warfare Defense section of Marine Aircraft Group 24 by validating some procedures that could become doctrine for CH-53 helicopter squadrons in the future. "Today's main objective is the validation of several procedures required by aircrew assigned to transport chemical casualties, from an attacked area to a predetermined chemical casualty collection point," said Chief Warrant Officer 4 Albert Andriotti, the MAG-24 NBC officer.The procedures, known as the Counter-Chemical Warfare Concept of Operations, are passive, defensive postures within a larger integrated U.S. Marine Corps/Air Force strategy for countering enemy weapons of mass destruction attacks. The concepts provide commanders and senior leaders with procedures and risk-based decision aids. The procedures and aids are designed to improve leadership's ability to maintain maximum operational tempo under NBC threat conditions. With a properly trained force, knowledge of the procedures allows appropriate actions before and after NBC attacks. As well, the procedures will increase operational capability and decrease the logistical burdens associated with traditional decontamination operations. What drives the ultimate effectiveness of the new concept? A unit's ability to execute and manage a decentralized, mixed or split Mission-Oriented Protective Posture - or MOPP - environment, to make available and employ chemical contamination avoidance mechanisms, and to tailor unit-specific procedures that balance force survivability and mission production effectiveness. To avoid contamination - in order to minimize casualties and the impact of decontamination on personnel and assets - is the most important aspect of the concept. And the simplest way to prevent contamination of high value assets, such as aircraft, is to provide protective cover. Also, prepositioning chemical detection devices; applying M8 paper and M9 tape, used to detect nerve and blister agents to aircraft, vehicles, and ground support equipment; and vigilant monitoring by unit personnel allows commanders to determine the presence and extent of chemical contamination. Any equipment that becomes contaminated is segregated and marked so that personnel know that a contact hazard exists.Prior to validating the concept, HMH-463 participated in a training evolution. The simulated setting comprised operations in various stages of NBC environmental levels beginning in NBC threat condition "green." The squadron then moved into NBC threat condition "yellow" when it received notification of a possible NBC attack. Although the simulated attack occurred away from the squadron's area of operation, the forthcoming casualty evacuation mission was staged within a contaminated area. That required the responding crews to don all of their chemical, biological and radiological protective equipment once they had prepared their aircraft and received the mission briefing. Both the aircrew and aircraft were upgraded to NBC threat condition "red."The deck of a configured CH-53D Sea Stallion was covered with a protective layer of paper in order to prevent the spread of possible contamination and to reduce the extent of decontamination operations. Further, a clear, plastic bag was attached to the bulkhead, between the cockpit and main cabin area. The litters were wrapped with plastic bags, and M8 paper and M9 tape were applied on areas most likely to come into contact with a chemical agent. Both of the aircraft's external auxiliary tanks were marked with three Xs. The Xs identified that the aircraft had operated in a "dirty" area, when it returned to its alternate landing zone.The Medivac helicopter deployed to LZ Boondocker to extract its one casualty. Upon landing, the corpsman and two litter bearers (all of whom were in MOPP Level 4) exited the aircraft and quickly stabilized the "casualty," who was suffering from two broken legs and chemical agent exposure.After placing the "casualty" on the plastic-covered stretcher, the litter bearers placed him on the aircraft for return to LZ Westfield, the alternate landing zone, where he was triaged and evacuated to the designated medical facility.Once in NBC threat condition "black," the aircraft proceeded through an operational decontamination site where it was sprayed down. The squadron's monitor, survey and decontamination personnel checked for any contamination. The installed protective materials were removed and discarded.Because there was contamination detected inside of the aircraft, a strip of tape was placed underneath the three Xs, on both sides of the aircraft, to alert anyone coming near it that a possible internal contact hazard existed.In a combat situation, casualty evacuation is one of the primary missions of a helicopter squadron. If NBC threats are introduced, additional planning is required to evacuate contaminated casualties and/or evacuate a casualty from a possible contaminated landing zone. "We know that our enemies, both present and future, may use chemical agents against us and we will have chemical agent casualties," said Staff Sgt. Brian R. Barksdale, MAG-24's NBC training chief regarding the importance of the training evolution. "With these new procedures in place, the squadron can sustain their operational tempo and save lives at the same time."