Army Chemical Review

WINTER 2016

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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27 Winter 2016 T he global security environment is becoming increasingly more volatile and unstable. The use of chemical weapons by state and nonstate actors is increasing at a pace not seen during the previous 70 years. In fact, in November 2013, a U.S. official told Reuters that the use of chemical weapons in Syria is routine. 1 This expanded use of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosives (CBRNE) weapons threat- ens U.S. and allied interests around the world. The 20th CBRNE Command must adapt training and partnerships to face the challenges of operating in this dy- namic environment and combating these threats. A CBRNE environment is a com- plex environment in which to operate; and as recent history has shown, we no longer conduct operations alone. This necessi- tates training that brings together agen- cies and organizations with which the Army will deploy and operate. Based on the unique 20th CBRNE Command mission, capabilities, and requirements, the command is actively en- gaged with the military, state, and local first responders of CBRNE partners in the homeland. The command also re- mains globally responsive and regionally engaged abroad. These partnerships are critical in developing a layered de- fense against CBRNE threats. On average, the command operates in five countries around the world at any one time. Unlike other equivalent Army commands that are centrally focused on one or two places, this command, when requested through the combatant commander or state department, will send forces of various sizes anywhere, anytime. This is why the 20th CBRNE Command is fully commit- ted to working with its partners at all levels of government and across the world to break down stovepipes and develop a unified approach to countering CBRNE threats. Today's CBRNE environment is diffuse and ambiguous, which is why it is critical that the CBRNE enterprise strengthen its interoperability. No single organization can handle an event alone; rather, in this interconnected world, effective preven- tion and response depends upon a whole-of-government ap- proach and cooperation between CBRNE organizations to identify best practices and improve the relationship between each organization. In building a unified approach to countering CBRNE threats, the 20th CBRNE Command is focused on building capability and capacity around the globe. Specifically, the 48th Chemical Brigade operates with III Corps in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. During this past year, the 48th Chemical Brigade worked to strengthen the interoperability with the German Bundeswehr Chemical, Biological, Radio- logical, and Nuclear (CBRN) Defence Command and other North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies through NATO exercises Iron Mask and Precise Response. During the Iron Mask Exercise—a NATO multinational, 11-day readiness exercise—CBRN teams from Denmark, Firefighters discuss ways to approach a contaminated area of the subway during their Reconnaissance Sustainment Training with the New York City Fire Department at Pennsylvania Station in New York City. Photograph by Staff Sergeant Angel D. Martinez.

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