DEAD LIVESTOCK IN EASTER SECTOR OF AOR 29 AUG 90

File: 120396_aug96_decls14_0001.txt
Page: 0001
Total Pages: 3

Subject: DEAD LIVESTOCK IN EASTER SECTOR OF AOR   29 AUG 90              

Unit: ARCENT      

Parent Organization: CENTCOM     

Box ID: BX000490

Folder Title: DAILY STAFF JOURNAL  ARCENT 29 - 30 AUG 90                                                      

Document Number:          5

Folder SEQ  #:         16


                                                                           I'e
         CCIT3                                   cer 1,@21 A@g   1990
                                                  D,4
         NEMOWMDUM FOR RECORD

         SUBJECT: Dead Livestock in Eastern Sector of AOR



         1. On 28 Aug 90, MAJ Malphurs, Army LNO to AFSOC at King Fahd
         International Airport reported the following information to CPT
         Ridlon, T-2 HUMINT, SOCCENT regarding the observation of flocks
         of dead sheep vicinity 2750 N 4750 E. This is within the Saudi
         Arabian Reserve/trains AOR in the eastern sector. There is no
         indication of SA Forces within 40 miles of this site.

              a. MAJ Malphurs was conducting ground recon of potential C-
         130 landing sites on 27 Aug 90. He observed about 1000 dead
         sheep, some which appeared recently expired and others which
         appeared to have been dead for some time to include skeletal
         remains. It also appeared to him that someone had tried to place
         some of the remains in blue bags but had given up on the effort
         to containerize all remains. In the same vicinity, flocks of
         live sheep and Bedouin tribesmen were observed.

              b. A follow-on conversation with MAJ Malphurs disclosed
         that the dead herds of sheep numbered 20 to 30 with each herd
         consisting of 40 to so carcasses. Most appeared to have some
         remaininq.flesh.

         2. SOCCENT has expressed a concern regarding the potential
         misuse of this information as propaganda against U.S. Forces.
         Until the actual cause of the dead sheep can be confirmed by'
         competent medical/vete-rinary authorities, the opportunities for
         uncontrolled rumors could serve to create unnecessary concern,
         for both the U.S. and the SA Forces, regarding possible Iraqi use
         of chemical or biological agents. Although this concern has only
ibility, USCENTCOM may be expected to respond
         to questions from either US or SA sources.

         3. In the event that this area is infected with anthrax or other
         natural disease, this could serve to preclude tactical operations
         in this area. Anthrax presents a pulmonary or a cutaneous hazard
         to humans via bacteria spores which can remain infectious over
         extended periods. The existence of live herds in the same area
         provides for fresh hosts to continue the hazard. The spores
         remaining from a carcass are protected by encapsulation and are
         therefore capable of being reaerosolized by foot or vehicle
         traffic in the area.

Document 3 f:/Week-32/BX000490/DAILY STAFF JOURNAL ARCENT 29 - 30 AUG 90/dead livestock in easter sector of aor 29 aug :11229616374143
Control Fields 17
File Room = aug96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-32
Box ID = BX000490
Unit = ARCENT
Parent Organization = CENTCOM
Folder Title = DAILY STAFF JOURNAL ARCENT 29 - 30 AUG 90
Folder Seq # = 16
Subject = DEAD LIVESTOCK IN EASTER SECTOR OF AOR 29 AUG
Document Seq # = 5
Document Date =
Scan Date =
Queued for Declassification = 01-JAN-1980
Short Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Long Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Permanent Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Non-Health Related Document = 01-JAN-1980
Declassified = 22-NOV-1996