This publication, "Combating Weapons of Mass Destruction," (Joint Publication 3-40), provides fundamental principles and guidance for combating weapons of mass destruction (CWMD) and their mean of delivery. Combating weapons of mass destruction (CWMD) and their means of delivery is one of the greatest challenges the United States (US) faces. Weapons of mass destruction (WMD) have the potential to severely disrupt and damage the United States, it forces, allies, multinational partners, and other friendly nations. It is important for commanders and their staffs to keep the perspective that WMD is not an adversary, but a capability an adversary can use. Adversaries may use WMD as a tool to inflict casualties on civilian populations, degrade the instruments of our national power, or to counter US military superiority. CWMD is a global mission crossing geographic areas of responsibility (AORs) boundaries, requires an integrate and synchronized effort, and requires numerous interagency and multinational partner for effective mission accomplishment. Rather than a discrete, specialized mission, CWMD requires a continuous campaign conducted and supported by the entire United States Government. CWMD actions are conducted across the range of military operations and DOD will often be acting in support of another lead agency, or even supporting a multinational effort. This publication has been prepared under the direction of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. It sets forth CWMD doctrine to govern the activities and performance of the Armed Forces of the United States in joint operations and provides the doctrinal basis for interagency coordination and for US military involvement in multinational operations. It provides military guidance for the exercise of authority by combatant commanders and other joint force commanders (JFCs) and prescribes joint doctrine for operations. It provides military guidance for use by the Armed Forces in preparing their appropriate plans. It is not the intent of this publication to restrict the authority of the JFC from task organizing the force and executing the mission in a manner the JFC deems most appropriate to ensure unity of effort in the accomplishment of the overall objective. Joint doctrine established in this publication applies to the Joint Staff, commanders of combatant commands, subunified commands, joint task forces, subordinate components of these commands, and the Services. The guidance in this publication is authoritative; as such, this doctrine will be followed except when, in the judgment of the commander, exceptional circumstances dictate otherwise. If conflicts arise between the contents of this publication and the contents of Service publications, this publication will take precedence unless the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, normally in coordination with the other members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has provided more current and specific guidance. Commanders of forces operating as part of a multinational (alliance or coalition) military command should follow multinational doctrine and procedures ratified by the United States. For doctrine and procedures not ratified by the United States, commanders should evaluate and follow the multinational command's doctrine and procedures, where applicable and consistent with US law, regulations, and doctrine.