Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the JCBRN Defence COE has allocated its resources not only to internal measures attempting to limit the spread of SARS-CoV-2 within the institution and to continue activities from the institutional program of work, but it was also focused on operations support objectives and the ongoing fight against SARS-CoV-2. As a result, a large part of the COE’s effort was with the operations area of interest and started to compile all readily available information about the virus and also to analyse which of the existing capabilities belonging to various national CBRN defence branches could be used in the global effort to combat the pandemic. Questions such as “Is SARS-CoV-2 a CBRN defence related issue if it isn’t a biological agent?” and “Where does the responsibility of CBRN defence start in this matter?” appeared from the beginning; however, the JCBRN Defence COE understood that in new situations the flexibility is the key to viable solutions and a classical doctrinal approach should only be considered a starting point for innovative alternatives.
Recognizing the importance of timely CBRN advice in the operational environment, the JCBRN Defence COE analysed the five enabling components of CBRN defence regarding SARS-CoV-2. The intention was to recommend an effective use of what exists in the CBRN defence portfolios to better address the new global threat. As a result, the JCBRN Defence COE initially disseminated a paper that was titled “CBRN defence operational planning support against COVID-19” and was addressed mainly to NATO commanders and their staff involved in mitigating COVID-19 effects. It aimed to provide a synthesis of CBRN defence fundamentals strictly related to SARS-CoV-2. In our opinion, the benefits of this report were to highlight the use of active and passive decontamination while looking at the specific characteristics of this virus, the need to control the spread by means of isolation because humans are the carrying vector, need for a clear separation of the contaminated/uncontaminated areas (‘clean/dirty line’) and the recommendation to use light (low burden) individual protective equipment as an alternative for the standard (generic) military models. It should also be noted that in cooperation with NATO Military Medicine COE (MILMED COE), the report discussed potential limitations of CBRN defence equipment to detect and identify SARS-CoV-2.
The second COVID-19-related research paper produced and disseminated by the JCBRN Defence COE was titled “CBRN defence Enhancements and Limitations to SARS-CoV-2” and was the result of a larger study conducted by the JCBRN Defence COE during the summer and autumn of 2020. Originally it was an annex with technical data about SARS-CoV-2 that was designed to support the JCBRN Defence COE’s report called “CBRN defence capabilities development within the biological domain based on COVID-19 lessons learned”. Of note, it was disseminated as a stand-alone document in advance of the report to be used to assist in an approaching new wave of the pandemic, and to distribute adapted CBRN defence recommendations based on the latest scientific research and validated best practices. This second paper was designed to be comprehensive and detailed and was created during many brainstorming sessions with the participation of members of the JCBRN Defence COE Operations Support Department and Training Education and Exercises Department. It incorporated some of the lessons learned from the experiences of the COVID-19 first wave, and results of the documentary research of specialists from NATO CBRN Reachback Element (CBRN RBE). It includes, in a logical order, a comprehensive analysis of all facets of CBRN support to operations in biologically contaminated environments and the training requirements for CBRN defence response forces. Among the results obtained, we stressed the importance of portable decontamination apparatus, decontamination through fumigation and the light individual protective equipment as well as the intelligent use of a combination of active and passive decontamination in accomplishing the CBRN defence tasks of the ongoing operation.
In parallel with the work on the above-mentioned research and planning a return to “normal” (pre-pandemic) activities, the JCBRN Defence COE did not neglect the roles of NATO CBRN Reachback core and strategic level CBRN defence advisor. It continues to support its stakeholders with COVID-19 related assessments, estimations, and planning advice. Since March 2020, there have been 12 COVID-19 related requests for information (RFI) or standing requests for information (SRFI) to the JCBRN Defence COE.
The JCBRN Defence COE has tracked, continually analysed, and monitored the situation since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis. The uncontrolled spread of the virus and the critical development of the situation which military and civilian face worldwide raised many concerns and questions. The JCBRN Defence COE responded to these requests by contacting relevant stakeholders, analysing current scientific data and available information about coronaviruses, including their mutability (ability to change) and immunity response. JCBRN Defence COE was also asked to compare Allied military approaches regarding the management of SARS-CoV-2 control, disinfection, and potential casualty management. Additionally, the JCBRN Defence COE cooperated with other military organisations such as the MILMED COE to deal with this new and critical situation. Alongside these external requests, the JCBRN Defence COE also worked on several internally generated tasks (SRFIs) – these included the analysis of the geo strategic impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic for NATO (nations and forces). Reachback specialists were focused not only on the pandemic but also on the subsequent impact to the global economy, notably local effects in Africa which included the impacts on migration and restrictions on the treatment of other diseases. The analysis of the SARS-CoV-2 origins and the probability of its potential artificial (manmade) creation in a laboratory is ongoing.
The eight RFIs, which were completed, were received from across Czech and international military organisations.
- “Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)”,
- “Points of note regarding COVID-19”,
- “COVID-19 Antibody Test”,
- “JCBRN COE COVID-19 situation report”,
- “Decontamination SARS-CoV-2”,
- “Aeromedical evacuation processes – COVID-19”,
- “Testing policy and strategy”,
- “Assessment on COVID-19 impact for planning”.
The four projects completed under the CBRN Reachback Section chief form were:
- “Global Coronavirus Pandemic”,
- “Weaponization of COVID, terrorist, hybrid and state threats”,
- COVID-19 second wave epidemiology comparison between two of the most affected countries,
- “COVID-19 impact on adversary military processes”,
- A further project “Artificial manipulation of zoonotic RNA” remains in progress.
It is hoped that the studies conducted within the JCBRN Defence COE have supported both our military and civilian stakeholders and has led to the effective use of CBRN defence equipment, procedures, and force capabilities. A secondary goal is to aid CBRN defence specialists in providing timely, accurate and concise estimates to their commanders. Finally, we remind you that is possible to receive the reports mentioned in the text above by requesting what you are interested through e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Authors:
Lieutenant Colonel Cosmin Mihăescu, CBRN Defence Operations Planning Support Section Chief, JCBRN Defence COE, ROU – A, PhD
Mrs. Pavla Holochová, CBRN RBS Biologist, JCBRN Defence COE, CZE, PhD