major's plan earns bronze star for him.(Capital Region)

Byline: TERRY BROWN - Staff Writer

Army Reserve Maj. Richard Bailey of Attleboro, Mass., formerly of Slingerlands, was a bit startled recently as he observed reaction to an explosion near his base camp at Tikrit in Iraq.

The improvised explosive device gave off a strong garlic odor, leaving U.S. soldiers frightened of a possible chemical attack with mustard gas, said Bailey, plans and operations officer for the 399th Combat Support Hospital out of Taunton, Mass.

The solders' and units' reactions were uncoordinated and chaotic at Steicher Contingency Operating Base, he said.

"Explosive, ordnance, disposal technicians determined the insurgents had added harmless household chemicals to the IED and not mustard gas," Bailey said, adding there were reports mustard gas was added to a couple of IEDs elsewhere in Iraq.

He said he could clearly see the base camp needed a coordinated standard operating procedure for …