User:Reid Kirby
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[edit] About Me
I am a chemical biological warfare history scholar that has been actively investigating the utility, technology, and doctrine of chemical biological weapons since 1988. I have written several articles, consulted to documentaries, assisted other reasearchers, and advised the United States Army Chemical Corps Museum an Historical Office.
I live in St. Louis, Missouri with my wife Michelle and son Brian, earning a meager living as a project manager. Graduated from Lindenwood College (1990) with a BS in Valuation Science and a minor in Biology (including specialized studies in behavioral toxicology and biotechnology). Enjoy photography, fishing, golf, rocketry, and target shooting.
[edit] Published Articles
Q50: Quantifying CB Threats A preliminary paper describing a means to estimate the amount of CB material required to produce 50% casualties (kg/km2).
Note: this methodology is recommended only as an approximation for a median casualty effect under neutral or stable atmospheric conditions. Pasquill-Gifford atmospheric stability classes A, B, C, and G are noted as not fickian in nature, and therefore parametric handling is not recommended. There is contemporary work, specifically CONDORS, that is causing a revision of this area of analysis.
Furthermore, the Patrick-Spertzel method discussed is not so much inaccurate (which it is not), as limited to neutral atmospheric stability over open terrain with winds around 4 MPH, and does not account for the peculiarities of dosage versus dose.
There is a detailed study underway that will provide a formal evaluation (including against a live chemical strike). The discussion of this upcoming study will include the attached document on the CB Weapon Preferences, as the Q50 method when applied to financial analysis creates a fairly recognizable explication of utility.
(http://www.wood.army.mil/chmdsd/pdfs/2007%20Winter/Kirby-Q50.pdf)
The Evolving Role of Biological Warfare A historical analysis of the military role of biological weapons in parity with nuclear weapons.
Note: this is probably the single most important article I wrote, and the attachment is the original draft submitted. This work was done prior to my investigation of the Big Five and several other covert munitions. Nonetheless, the LOA concept remains unchanged.
(http://www.wood.army.mil/chmdsd/pdfs/Jul-Dec%202007/KirbyAlt.pdf)
Operation Snoopy: The Chemical Corps' People Sniffer The US experience with the XM2 and XM3 people sniffer in the Vietnam conflict.
(http://www.wood.army.mil/chmdsd/pdfs/Jan-June_2007/Kirby-Snoopy-Final.pdf)
The CB Battlefield Legacy: Understanding the Potential Problem of Clustered CB Weapons A characterization of the problem posed by clustered CB weapons.
Note - the article poorly communicates an important point on latent risk (ed.). In theory, if the CB weapons were employed for a total dosage attack against targets without protective masks (lung effect), then the casualty risk (K) from the blinds is proportional to that of conventional munitions. On the other hand, if the employment was for the partial dosages required against a target with protective masks available, or for a skin effect, the saturation of the target is such that there is a substantially increase in this risk.
(http://www.wood.army.mil/chmdsd/pdfs/Jul-Dec%202006/Kirby3col.pdf)
Nerve Gas: America's Fifteen Year Struggle for Modern Chemical Weapons History of the US adoption of GA, GB, and VX with reference to US Air Force requirements and the Korean conflict.
(http://www.wood.army.mil/chmdsd/pdfs/Jan-June%202006/Kirby-Nerve%20Gas.pdf)
Using the Flea as a Weapon A review of the natural and military history of the plague-flea, detailing efforts from antiquity, Japan, Canada, and the US with minor discussion of the six salient features of vector-agent combinations.
Note: The article was completed prior to discovering Canada's criticism of BIG ITCH and the suitability of fleas as a weapon. Also does not address yellow fever mosquitoes (OJ-AP) and the E95 barometric bomblet as an entomological weapon beyond a vague comparison in a table for the E14.
(http://www.wood.army.mil/chmdsd/pdfs/Jul-Dec%202005/Kirby.pdf)
The CBR Gambit: Fear, Doubt, and Uncertainty Analysis of the qualities of the third tactical purpose of CBR - disruption. Describes the underlying purpose to exploit uncertainty and risk perceptions, and the temporary gap from the evolution of information.
(http://www.wood.army.mil/chmdsd/pdfs/Jan-June%202005/CBR%20Gambit.pdf)
Ricin Toxin: A Military History The history of US efforts to weaponize Ricin in WWI and WWII.
Note: this article was heavily redacted from the original manuscript that discussed the technical failings of Ricin. Remaining is an interesting case in point of the ethical proscription against poisoned weapons, though did not extend to poisonous weapons.
(http://www.wood.army.mil/chmdsd/pdfs/2004%20Apr/Kirby-Ricin-04-1.pdf)
Paradise Lost: The Psycho Agents The history of US efforts to adopt SN, BZ, and EA3834 as incapacitating agents.
Note: The stated LCt50 for BZ in the article is from FM 3-9 (1990), which is grossly in error. The actual figure should be 41,300 mg•min/m3 (US Army Joint CB Technical Data Source Book for BZ).
(http://www.sussex.ac.uk/Units/spru/hsp/CBWCB71.pdf)
History Notes: The CWS Effort to Obtain German Chemical Weapons for Retaliation Against Japan Describes the US crash program to qualify German chemical weapons for redirection against Japan. Details the first US efforts with GA.
Note: This article was long before my investigations into Allied chemical plans, including the CWS proposed first-use on Japan as part of Operation Olympic (isolated from the operational plans for same). There will be in the near future an article on these war plans.
(http://www.cbrniac.apgea.army.mil/products/newsletter_pdfs/vol5_num1.pdf)
[edit] Published Books
Selling Chemical Warfare: CWS Posters 1918 - 1945 Posters of the United States Army Chemical Warfare Service (CWS) are examined from 1918 to 1945. Using a selection of 32 posters the emotional appeal of fear and sex are used to motivate manufacturing, quality, training, and care of equipment. These posters reflect the cultural heritage of the CWS, and were an important part of chemical security during two world wars.
(http://www.amazon.com/Selling-Chemical-Warfare-Posters-1918/dp/0967726417/)
