USAF Counter-Biological Warfare Concept

The U.S. Air Force counter-biological warfare concept of
operations (CONOPS) recently reached a critical milestone, achieving initial
operational capability across the service. “It results from six years of
analysis and testing,” said Col. Steve Lucky, chief of the Air Force
Strategic Plans & Policy Division at the Pentagon. “Although these new
procedures significantly improve our ability to operate in a biological warfare
environment, there is still a significant amount of work to be done to fully
prepare the Air Force to meet the threat,” Colonel Lucky said. “Air
Force major commands are working together to ensure the CONOPS reaches full
operational capability by April 2009 and is successfully institutionalized
across the service.” The CONOPS for counter-biological warfare outlines
the Air Force approach to countering biological warfare and terrorism, as well
as naturally occurring disease outbreaks. It prescribes the actions to be taken
before, during, and after a biological event to limit casualties and sustain
mission capability at Air Force installations. Base commanders use operational
risk management to evaluate possible courses of action, identify risks and
benefits, and determine the best course of action for installation response.

Several additions have been made to various Air Force
instructions regarding biological warfare. An example includes AFI 10-2604,
Disease Containment Planning Guidance. This document provides policy and
guidance for disease containment planning, outlines roles and responsibilities
and identifies planning considerations. There are also several online courses
devoted to the CONOPS, including the Chemical, Biological, Radiological and
Nuclear Awareness Course, the CBRN Key Leaders Course, and the CBRN Survival
Skills Course. “Now the Air Force will actively implement and integrate
this CONOPS to reach full operational capability and to support its long-term
institutionalization,” said Colonel Lucky. “We are embedding these
procedures across the service to effectively prepare Air Force installations
for potential biological warfare attacks.”