U.S., German, Czech and Kuwaiti forces recently collaborated in a joint training exercise to prepare for a potential Iraqi missile attack involving VX gas, USA Today reported today (see GSN, Oct. 2).

The exercise involved a simulated explosion and chemical release; Kuwaiti forces engaged their emergency services while requesting assistance.

“It’s a big joint effort but essentially a Kuwaiti exercise,” U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Christopher Logan said.

The German forces provided command and control and reconnaissance while the Czech forces decontaminated personnel from the “attack.”  The exercise came under the auspices of the Cooperation Defense Initiative program.

With an eye toward a possible U.S. invasion of Iraq, Kuwaiti civil defense forces have recently been training to recover from an Iraqi weapon of mass destruction.  These recent training exercises do not mean a U.S. attack is imminent, according to Richard Jones, U.S. ambassador to Kuwait.

“You prepare for the worst, hoping for the best,” Jones said (Agence France-Presse/Jordan Times, Oct. 22).

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