Text Fwd: USFK Offers Child-Friendly Protective Masks

Korea Times
12-28-2009 20:29
USFK Offers Child-Friendly Protective Masks

The 2ND Infantry Division of the U.S. Forces Korea has distributed new child-friendly chemical environment protective masks to its servicemembers with children, according to the Stars and Stripes said Monday.

The U.S. military newspaper said the move is part of efforts to better protect American children in South Korea from possible chemical and biological attacks by North Korea.

``It's just a [matter of] preparation,'' Army Capt. Allan Garcia, the 2nd Infantry Division's chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear operations officer, was quoted as saying. ``You just never know what the capability … is of [North Korea].''

Garcia said the model being replaced was good only for children 3 and younger, and was ``more like a plastic bag that you put your kids in.'' The new model, however, is good for children 8 and younger and ``looks more like a space suit,'' he said.

gallantjung@koreatimes.co.kr