This Annual Report of the Department of Defense (DOD) Chemical and Biological Defense Program (CBDP) provides information in response to several reporting requirements. First, this report is provided in accordance with 50 U.S. Code Section 1523. (The complete reporting requirement is detailed at Annex L) This report is intended to assess: (1) the overall readiness of the Armed Forces to fight in a chemical biological (CB) warfare environment and steps taken and planned to be taken to improve such readiness; and, (2) requirements for the chemical and biological warfare defense program, including requirements for training, detection, and protective equipment, for medical prophylaxis, and for treatment of casualties resulting from use of chemical and biological weapons. The CBDP provides an integrated collection of chemical and biological defense systems to U.S. forces. The overall readiness of U.S. forces is dependent on many factors. One key factor is the availability of equipment. Chapter 2 summarizes equipment requirements and the status of research, development, test and evaluation (RDT & E) and acquisition efforts across all capability areas. Chapter 3 details the logistics status of CB defense systems. The overall logistical readiness status of the Department's CB defense equipment has improved slightly. Several factors have had an adverse effect on the overall DOD readiness and sustainment status: increased demands by the Services for some CB defense equipment; the increased overall Service requirements in order to support operations in Iraq and Afghanistan; the reorganization and the approved strength increase of the Army; and equipment modernization efforts in all of the Services. Another key factor in overall readiness is the education, training, and exercises conducted by U.S. forces to remain prepared for chemical and biological threats. Education, training, and exercises are detailed in Chapter.

This testimony is based on GAO's report on DOD's preparations for medical support for chemical and biological casualties. In the report, is the response to requests that GAO determine how DOD had adapted its medical personnel to emerging chemical and biological threats. Specifically, GAO looked at how DOD and the services had addressed chemical and biological threats in the distribution of medical personnel across specialties. Also looked at was the extent of training for medical personnel in the treatment of chemical and biological casualties.