WEBVTT 00:04.050 --> 00:06.570 Soldiers , this video covers a critical 00:06.570 --> 00:09.970 topic how we survive , fight , and win 00:09.970 --> 00:12.220 in a nuclear environment . As the 00:12.220 --> 00:14.130 global security environment grows 00:14.130 --> 00:16.930 increasingly complex , the possibility 00:16.930 --> 00:19.620 of operating in a nuclear conflict zone 00:19.799 --> 00:22.530 is no longer a distant scenario . It is 00:22.530 --> 00:25.399 a challenge we must confront head on . 00:25.809 --> 00:27.642 The nuclear battlefield presents 00:27.642 --> 00:29.476 challenges to our resilience and 00:29.476 --> 00:32.229 adaptability , as this video will show . 00:32.479 --> 00:34.880 The nuclear battlefield presents unique 00:34.880 --> 00:37.279 challenges . All soldiers must 00:37.279 --> 00:39.279 understand nuclear weapon effects , 00:39.360 --> 00:41.560 your equipment , and how to mitigate 00:41.560 --> 00:44.439 risk . Through your readiness , our 00:44.439 --> 00:46.439 army stands ready to confront any 00:46.439 --> 00:48.400 mission , even on the nuclear 00:48.400 --> 00:49.400 battlefield . 01:05.588 --> 01:07.698 Nuclear explosions are unique from 01:07.698 --> 01:10.179 conventional explosions . The primary 01:10.179 --> 01:12.958 damage mechanism , blast pressure waves , 01:13.338 --> 01:15.338 remain the same between nuclear and 01:15.338 --> 01:18.138 conventional blasts . However , other 01:18.138 --> 01:20.378 military significant risks , including 01:20.378 --> 01:23.278 prompt radiation and fallout , thermal 01:23.499 --> 01:26.319 and electromagnetic pulse , or EMP , 01:26.579 --> 01:29.179 differ from conventional blasts . We'll 01:29.179 --> 01:31.458 discuss these damage mechanisms from 01:31.458 --> 01:34.349 largest to smallest . After the flash 01:34.349 --> 01:36.669 of light and heat , a pressure wave 01:36.669 --> 01:38.989 reaches formations . This blast 01:38.989 --> 01:41.550 pressure makes up around 50% of the 01:41.550 --> 01:43.629 energy released and the major damage 01:43.629 --> 01:45.830 mechanism of the blast . Pressure 01:45.830 --> 01:48.720 damages in two ways . First , the 01:48.720 --> 01:51.269 overpressure crushes any vehicles and 01:51.269 --> 01:53.436 structures closest to the detonation . 01:53.669 --> 01:56.069 Personnel exposed to the blast pressure 01:56.309 --> 01:58.809 will experience internal organ damage 01:59.029 --> 02:01.980 and ear drum ruptures . Second , The 02:01.980 --> 02:04.260 dynamic pressure pushes anything in the 02:04.260 --> 02:06.339 path of the blast , causing vehicle 02:06.339 --> 02:08.449 rollovers and presenting secondary 02:08.449 --> 02:10.899 hazards of projectiles thrown into the 02:10.899 --> 02:13.589 shock wave . A nuclear explosion 02:13.589 --> 02:16.869 releases more than 35% of its energy in 02:16.869 --> 02:18.925 the form of intense light and heat . 02:19.179 --> 02:21.630 This is the first effect felt and seen 02:21.630 --> 02:24.229 by units . The fireball and thermal 02:24.229 --> 02:26.589 release is dangerous to formations 02:26.589 --> 02:28.756 close to the detonation , causing skin 02:28.756 --> 02:31.979 burns and fires . Further away , the 02:31.979 --> 02:33.789 flash of light can cause flash 02:33.789 --> 02:36.630 blindness or retinal burns . This 02:36.630 --> 02:38.750 intense light can be damaging to both 02:38.750 --> 02:41.360 personnel and optics . And is of 02:41.360 --> 02:43.479 particular concern for operators of 02:43.479 --> 02:46.830 military aircraft . The remaining 15% 02:46.830 --> 02:48.941 of the energy released from a nuclear 02:48.941 --> 02:50.997 detonation is in the form of nuclear 02:50.997 --> 02:53.610 radiation . This radiation occurs 02:53.610 --> 02:55.777 almost simultaneously with the initial 02:55.777 --> 02:58.050 explosion and will expose nearby 02:58.050 --> 03:00.089 personnel and equipment to nuclear 03:00.089 --> 03:02.789 radiation if not adequately shielded . 03:03.089 --> 03:05.256 Most personnel exposed to high amounts 03:05.256 --> 03:07.809 of prompt radiation will likely have 03:07.809 --> 03:10.250 more serious injuries from blast and 03:10.250 --> 03:12.940 thermal effects . However , high 03:12.940 --> 03:15.500 radiation exposures can lead to acute 03:15.500 --> 03:18.169 radiation syndrome that manifests as 03:18.169 --> 03:20.660 delayed symptoms over time , which is 03:20.660 --> 03:22.539 challenging to treat in combat 03:22.539 --> 03:25.190 environments . If the fireball of the 03:25.190 --> 03:27.710 detonation touches the ground , soil 03:27.710 --> 03:29.949 and anything else will be vaporized and 03:29.949 --> 03:32.229 pulled into the fireball . Vaporized 03:32.229 --> 03:34.149 soil mixes with the radioactive 03:34.149 --> 03:35.990 products and solidifies into 03:35.990 --> 03:38.649 radioactive , tiny dust-like particles . 03:39.190 --> 03:41.079 These particles will be blown and 03:41.079 --> 03:43.134 slowly fall to the ground , making a 03:43.134 --> 03:45.789 radioactive area on the ground downwind 03:45.789 --> 03:47.789 from the detonation . This is the 03:47.789 --> 03:50.122 second form of radiation energy release . 03:50.289 --> 03:53.539 Known as fallout or delayed radiation , 03:53.899 --> 03:56.380 fireballs from air bursts do not always 03:56.380 --> 03:58.547 touch the ground , and not all nuclear 03:58.547 --> 04:01.020 explosions produce fallout . A common 04:01.020 --> 04:03.339 misconception is that fallout will make 04:03.339 --> 04:05.580 the downwind area uninhabitable for 04:05.580 --> 04:08.139 many years . However , most of the 04:08.139 --> 04:10.419 radioactive products decay away 04:10.419 --> 04:12.740 relatively quickly . For less than 100 04:12.740 --> 04:14.779 kilotons , most of the risk from 04:14.779 --> 04:17.660 radioactivity is gone within 2 days . 04:18.449 --> 04:21.058 Surface and air bursts release less 04:21.058 --> 04:23.908 than 0.1% of their energy in the form 04:23.908 --> 04:27.539 of electromagnetic pulse or EMP . This 04:27.539 --> 04:29.483 effect is typically localized when 04:29.483 --> 04:31.706 compared to the other phenomena and may 04:31.706 --> 04:33.817 result in electronic systems upset or 04:33.817 --> 04:35.817 failure within the localized area . 04:35.938 --> 04:38.658 However , high altitude bursts have 04:38.658 --> 04:40.819 wide reaching effects that can damage 04:40.819 --> 04:43.248 equipment and disrupt communications . 04:43.618 --> 04:45.674 These effects are indiscriminate and 04:45.674 --> 04:47.785 affect both friendly and enemy forces 04:47.785 --> 04:50.570 equally . Let's demonstrate these 04:50.570 --> 04:52.792 effects with a vignette at the National 04:52.792 --> 04:54.799 Training Center shown is an army 04:54.799 --> 04:56.970 division conducting a mobile defense 04:56.970 --> 04:59.026 concentrated on the destruction of a 04:59.026 --> 05:01.730 tactical nuclear armed enemy . Depicted 05:01.730 --> 05:04.730 are two brigades 1st brigade , a fixing 05:04.730 --> 05:06.929 force in the north , and 2nd brigade , 05:07.130 --> 05:09.760 a striking force in the south . We will 05:09.760 --> 05:12.609 focus on 1st Brigade , the fixing force 05:12.609 --> 05:14.730 brigade . The brigade's cavalry 05:14.730 --> 05:16.508 squadron is screening along the 05:16.508 --> 05:18.720 brigade's front . Two of the brigade's 05:18.720 --> 05:20.959 infantry battalions have occupied 05:20.959 --> 05:23.540 battle positions in canalized terrain 05:23.839 --> 05:26.679 along the enemy's axis of advance . One 05:26.679 --> 05:28.901 battalion has been positioned along the 05:28.901 --> 05:32.119 flank to block enemy movement . A final 05:32.119 --> 05:34.559 infantry battalion is seizing a small 05:34.559 --> 05:37.359 town to destroy enemy special purpose 05:37.359 --> 05:40.440 forces . First brigade's purpose is to 05:40.440 --> 05:42.720 supplement the striking force by 05:42.720 --> 05:44.750 holding attacking enemy forces in 05:44.750 --> 05:47.230 position . The enemy force has observed 05:47.230 --> 05:49.239 2nd brigade , the striking force 05:49.239 --> 05:51.959 brigade , and attacks by fire with a 10 05:51.959 --> 05:54.440 kiloton tactical nuclear missile . The 05:54.440 --> 05:56.679 enemy chose a ground burst munition to 05:56.679 --> 05:58.670 enhance the weapon's effects . The 05:58.670 --> 06:00.503 prevailing winds create a ground 06:00.503 --> 06:02.503 radiation hazard which disrupts the 06:02.503 --> 06:04.503 striking force brigade's movement . 06:04.503 --> 06:06.614 Although the detonation occurred at 3 06:06.614 --> 06:08.440 kilometers from 2 brigade and 5 06:08.440 --> 06:11.410 kilometers from 1 . The weapon does not 06:11.410 --> 06:13.709 produce casualties in either formation . 06:14.010 --> 06:16.232 Soldiers can be close enough to observe 06:16.232 --> 06:18.010 nuclear weapons effects without 06:18.010 --> 06:20.040 becoming casualties . The division 06:20.040 --> 06:22.290 transitions to an area defense to block 06:22.290 --> 06:24.570 the enemy's movement . Army units 06:24.570 --> 06:26.649 maintain nuclear dosimeters and 06:26.649 --> 06:29.709 detectors to measure radiation exposure 06:29.809 --> 06:32.170 and detect radioactive contamination . 06:32.980 --> 06:35.359 Dosimeters track cumulative radiation 06:35.359 --> 06:38.200 doses received by individuals over time 06:38.720 --> 06:41.089 ensuring they stay within safe limits . 06:41.459 --> 06:43.309 Detectors identify and measure 06:43.309 --> 06:45.420 radiation levels in the environment , 06:45.630 --> 06:48.320 helping units locate contaminated areas , 06:48.500 --> 06:50.899 assess fallout zones , and determine 06:50.899 --> 06:53.660 safe routes or shelter locations . Both 06:53.660 --> 06:55.940 tools are essential for maintaining 06:55.940 --> 06:58.489 safety and operational effectiveness on 06:58.489 --> 07:01.079 a nuclear battlefield . Maintaining 07:01.079 --> 07:03.589 unit nuclear equipment is essential to 07:03.589 --> 07:05.756 operating on the nuclear battlefield . 07:06.820 --> 07:09.299 First brigade units observe a brilliant 07:09.299 --> 07:12.140 flash of light . Dismounted soldiers 07:12.140 --> 07:14.829 drop to the ground , face down in prone 07:14.829 --> 07:17.179 position with feet pointed toward 07:17.179 --> 07:20.100 ground zero direction of the blast and 07:20.100 --> 07:22.540 arms and hands covering face and head . 07:23.309 --> 07:25.549 Mounted soldiers immediately drop 07:25.549 --> 07:27.827 inside the vehicle , close the hatches , 07:27.869 --> 07:30.202 and turn off radios that are not needed . 07:30.630 --> 07:33.140 Units brace for the blast wave until it 07:33.140 --> 07:35.100 has passed . The units would then 07:35.100 --> 07:37.750 conduct CBRN reporting and check for 07:37.750 --> 07:40.070 injuries , Check weapons and equipment 07:40.070 --> 07:42.670 for damage and contamination , verify 07:42.670 --> 07:44.940 electronic systems , including radios , 07:45.190 --> 07:47.023 are functioning normally after a 07:47.023 --> 07:49.190 restart , and conduct radiological 07:49.190 --> 07:51.630 surveys if necessary . They would then 07:51.630 --> 07:53.741 prepare to continue the mission . The 07:53.741 --> 07:55.908 psychological impact of operating in a 07:55.908 --> 07:58.230 nuclear environment can be severe . 07:58.589 --> 08:00.549 Units must be prepared to maintain 08:00.549 --> 08:03.989 discipline under extreme stress . The 08:03.989 --> 08:06.149 enemy force is well prepared and 08:06.149 --> 08:07.982 trained on their nuclear weapons 08:07.982 --> 08:10.589 effects . The enemy force has detected 08:10.589 --> 08:13.109 1st brigade's position and conducts a 08:13.109 --> 08:15.489 2nd strike while moving to contact . 08:16.350 --> 08:18.829 The strike is well targeted and occurs 08:18.829 --> 08:20.910 1 kilometer from one of the infantry 08:20.910 --> 08:23.510 battalion's battle positions . Any 08:23.510 --> 08:26.149 enemy force may attempt to exploit 08:26.149 --> 08:28.549 potential for disorganization following 08:28.549 --> 08:31.209 a nuclear strike for tactical advantage . 08:31.670 --> 08:34.549 Unit dispersion limits impact to the 08:34.549 --> 08:37.669 affected unit . Additionally , soldiers 08:37.669 --> 08:40.109 inside vehicles or in foxholes are 08:40.109 --> 08:42.165 protected from the immediate thermal 08:42.165 --> 08:44.758 effects . However , Those same soldiers 08:44.979 --> 08:47.218 could be exposed to prompt radiation 08:47.218 --> 08:50.179 from the detonation . This exposure can 08:50.179 --> 08:52.578 create delayed casualties as acute 08:52.578 --> 08:54.898 radiation sickness manifests over the 08:54.898 --> 08:57.458 next few days . While some soldiers are 08:57.458 --> 08:59.514 injured from flying debris and being 08:59.514 --> 09:01.736 thrown , this one suffered ruptured ear 09:01.736 --> 09:03.739 drums from the blast effects . The 09:03.739 --> 09:05.859 diversity of injuries from nuclear 09:05.859 --> 09:07.898 effects strained medical assets . 09:08.969 --> 09:10.913 Leaders should anticipate that the 09:10.913 --> 09:13.289 first observed nuclear strike may not 09:13.289 --> 09:16.090 be the last . A prepared and trained 09:16.090 --> 09:18.770 enemy can advance through ground zero 09:18.770 --> 09:21.530 of an air burst weapon several hours to 09:21.530 --> 09:24.090 days after detonation with minimal 09:24.090 --> 09:26.809 combat power degradation . The area 09:26.809 --> 09:28.976 beneath the weapon will have different 09:28.976 --> 09:31.031 residual risk over time depending on 09:31.031 --> 09:33.760 weapon's yield , altitude of detonation , 09:34.049 --> 09:36.590 and weather conditions . The enemy 09:36.590 --> 09:38.650 force continues to press the attack 09:38.650 --> 09:41.030 with a 3rd air burst nuclear strike to 09:41.030 --> 09:43.460 enable maneuver . The strike occurs 09:43.460 --> 09:45.950 further along the enemy force's axis of 09:45.950 --> 09:48.530 advance , 3 kilometers from nearest 1st 09:48.530 --> 09:51.270 brigade unit . At this distance , 09:51.510 --> 09:53.770 effects of the 3rd strike are minimal 09:53.770 --> 09:55.979 on 1st brigade units . Though 09:55.979 --> 09:58.750 unaffected by the 3rd strike , units in 09:58.750 --> 10:00.549 view of the strike would follow 10:00.549 --> 10:02.605 reporting procedures for the event , 10:02.750 --> 10:04.472 including estimated location . 10:05.109 --> 10:06.998 Reporting confirms that units are 10:06.998 --> 10:09.053 unaffected and have maintained their 10:09.053 --> 10:11.640 full combat power . However , the 10:11.640 --> 10:14.080 brigade headquarters would direct lower 10:14.080 --> 10:16.840 echelon units to avoid the immediate 10:16.840 --> 10:19.679 area of the strike for the potential of 10:19.679 --> 10:22.280 ground contamination . Following the 10:22.280 --> 10:24.502 attack . The brigade conducts immediate 10:24.502 --> 10:26.960 actions to report , maintain continuity 10:26.960 --> 10:29.520 of command and control , and continue 10:29.520 --> 10:31.780 to conduct the primary mission . The 10:31.780 --> 10:33.613 brigade directs units to conduct 10:33.613 --> 10:35.650 radiation monitoring , damage 10:35.650 --> 10:38.179 assessments , and restoration of combat 10:38.179 --> 10:40.299 power . The brigade staff conducts 10:40.299 --> 10:42.021 warning and reporting and risk 10:42.021 --> 10:44.099 mitigation measures . Units are 10:44.099 --> 10:46.099 directed to monitor soldiers' total 10:46.099 --> 10:48.200 accumulated dose and potential 10:48.200 --> 10:50.780 radiation exposure . The brigade 10:50.780 --> 10:52.780 coordinates logistic support and 10:52.780 --> 10:55.219 casualty evacuation . Leaders and 10:55.219 --> 10:57.500 staffs must avoid rushing logistical 10:57.500 --> 11:00.169 and evacuation operations until the 11:00.169 --> 11:02.469 situation is understood . Moving too 11:02.469 --> 11:04.590 quickly without understanding fallout 11:04.590 --> 11:07.270 patterns can lead to greater exposure . 11:07.630 --> 11:09.789 Waiting for initial fallout to settle 11:10.070 --> 11:12.950 and then moving may be safer . The 11:12.950 --> 11:15.369 commander determines if strikes warrant 11:15.460 --> 11:18.500 modifying the operation or task 11:18.500 --> 11:20.809 organization . Tactical nuclear weapons 11:20.809 --> 11:23.369 strikes , even multiple at the brigade 11:23.369 --> 11:26.049 level , may not stop maneuver units 11:26.049 --> 11:28.271 from completing their primary mission . 11:31.830 --> 11:33.997 Knowledge of the specific hazards in a 11:33.997 --> 11:35.869 nuclear environment are key to 11:35.869 --> 11:38.469 preparation and response . Weapon 11:38.469 --> 11:40.636 effects present different hazards that 11:40.636 --> 11:42.802 will require a whole of staff approach 11:42.802 --> 11:45.909 to overcome and mitigate risk . This 11:45.909 --> 11:47.989 will require training at Echelon to 11:47.989 --> 11:50.869 build resiliency and exploit advantages 11:50.869 --> 11:53.669 over adversaries . Tactical nuclear 11:53.669 --> 11:55.710 weapon employment does not end the 11:55.710 --> 11:58.150 mission . Post-strike recovery is 11:58.150 --> 12:00.590 achievable and should be anticipated . 12:00.989 --> 12:03.229 In this scenario , one battalion lost 12:03.229 --> 12:06.070 less than 30% of its combat power , and 12:06.070 --> 12:08.126 the brigade was able to successfully 12:08.126 --> 12:10.520 counter after multiple enemy strikes . 12:10.820 --> 12:13.042 Though the operational environment will 12:13.042 --> 12:15.510 change during nuclear use , units will 12:15.510 --> 12:18.549 be expected to survive , fight , and 12:18.549 --> 12:20.210 win within the nuclear environment .