We report initial results of a study aimed toward developing a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model to simulate the laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) plume for the purpose of understanding the physical and chemical factors that control the LIBS signature. The kinetic model developed for modeling studies of the LIBS plume from metallic lead includes a set of air reactions and ion chemistry as well as the oxidization, excitation, and ionization of lead atoms. At total of 38 chemical species and 220 reactions are included in the model. Experimental measurements of the spatial and temporal dependence of a number of lead emission lines have been made of the LIBS plume from metallic lead. The mechanism of generation of excited Pb states in the LIBS plume is analyzed through kinetic modeling and sensitivity analysis. Initial CFD model results for the LIBS plume are presented.