Army Chemical Review

SUMMER 2013

Army Chemical Review presents professional information about Chemical Corps functions related to chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, smoke, flame, and civil support operations.

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The 110th Chemical Battalion Iron Dragons were operationally controlled by, and integrated with, the 102d ROK Infantry Regiment in Incheon, South Korea. The Iron Dragon team provided the 102d ROK Infantry Regiment with CBRNE expertise throughout the exercise. Immediately upon their arrival, the Iron Dragons began establishing an operational TOC; they achieved initial operating capability on 27 October 2012. The 110th executed the mission command of a technical escort headquarters with two CBRNE response teams, one EOD company, and two combat support CBRN companies. The battalion also task-organized its assets using the company team approach and employed mounted CBRN reconnaissance platoons, dismounted reconnaissance and surveillance platoons, the CBRNE response team, and EOD assets in support of the 102d ROK Infantry Regiment tactical maneuver plan to facilitate force protection and enhance the freedom of maneuver for U.S. and ROK forces. Soldiers from the 48th Chemical Brigade train during the Warpath III exercise. the nuclear disablement team contributed to disabling the threat of proliferation. In addition, a CBRNE Analytical and Remediation Activity light, mobile, expeditionary laboratory chemist was on hand to analyze chemical and biological samples, paint a more accurate picture of enemy capabilities, confrm or deny specifc enemy capabilities, and mitigate the threat to our Soldiers. Meanwhile, the team from the 23d Chemical Battalion was colocated with the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 2ID, at Camp Casey, South Korea. The 23d Chemical Battalion Lions were to serve as the resident CBRNE experts. Through the initial stages of the military decisionmaking process with the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, the Lion team analyzed each phase of the armored brigade combat team scheme of maneuver and made recommendations to the commander regarding how to effectively task-organize the correct CBRNE defense force packages with each of the subordinate maneuver battalions. By establishing customized CBRNE asset packages based on the requirements for each phase of the mission, the Lion team was able to support the requirement of each maneuver phase. This systematic approach required the development of balanced CBRNE company teams (including mounted Stryker Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Reconnaissance Vehicles), dismounted CBRN reconnaissance and surveillance teams, decontamination teams, EOD teams, and other conventional capabilities. Lieutenant Colonel Dale Crockett, commander of the 23d Chemical Battalion, discussed the importance of the role of the 23d in ensuring that CBRNE assets were properly integrated and employed. He said, "The Warpath experience proved extremely valuable for the entire formation. The battalion served as the CBRNE subject matter expert within the [brigade combat team] command post and provided the commander with advice and assistance on the unique aspects of CBRNE operations." 50 All warfghters assigned to the peninsula conducted 24-hour battle staff operations in a feld environment. These operations included collecting standard casualty reports; backflling CBRN Soldiers; assessing battle damage; sustaining specialized, commercial, off-the-shelf equipment throughout the complex battlefeld; performing in-depth intelligence analyses of scenario-based WMD sites and trends; and maintaining critical communications architecture in the midst of enemy infltration. Throughout the mission, features of combined and joint warfghting were executed according to ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command operations plans. On the importance of sharing knowledge with the 110th Chemical Battalion, Colonel Se-Woo Pyo, commander of the 102d ROK Infantry Regiment, said, "We are very satisfed with the support we have received from the 110th Chemical Battalion. They are essential elements of my regiment's operations. We have worked very closely to exchange opinions on how we conduct operations." In addition, the 110th Chemical Battalion emphasized the importance of the mission as a tool to bridge the cultural boundaries and to promote a further understanding of CBRNE operations. Command Sergeant Major Victor Whitehorn, 110th Chemical Battalion, stated, "We are thankful for this opportunity to deploy the battalion here to the Korean Peninsula. We are also thankful for the relationship we have built with the staff of the 102d ROK Regiment. . . . This exercise allowed us to see ourselves and better prepare for follow-on missions." Observations Many successes and challenges were revealed through brigade participation in the Warpath III exercise. As a result, areas to be sustained or improved were identifed. Areas to Sustain Areas identifed to be sustained include— ● Weekly in-process review. To address issues as they were identifed, the information operations offcer (G-7) from 2ID and representatives of the 20th Support Command conducted weekly in-process reviews via Army Chemical Review

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