20th Support Command (CBRNE) hosts change of command ceremony

By Mr. Christopher I Bush (20th Support Command)May 30, 2013

20th Support Command (CBRNE) hosts change of command ceremony
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Brig. Gen. JB Burton passes the command colors to Command Sgt. Maj. David Puig during the 20th Support Command (CBRNE) Change of Command Ceremony at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md. May 29. Burton assumed command from Maj. Gen. Leslie C. Smith in front o... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
20th Support Command (CBRNE) hosts change of command ceremony
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
20th Support Command (CBRNE) hosts change of command ceremony
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (From left) Maj. Gen. Leslie C. Smith, Lt. Gen. William B. Garrett III, deputy commanding general of U.S. Army Forces Command, and Brig. Gen. JB Burton, 20th Support Command (CBRNE) commander, observe troops during the 20th Spt. Cmd. (CBRNE) Change o... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. -- In a ceremony attended by more than 300, Maj. Gen. Leslie C. Smith bid farewell to the Army's 20th Support Command (CBRNE) as he passed command to Brig. Gen. JB Burton here May 29.

Smith, who helmed the Army's command charged with combating the threats from chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear weapons as well as high-yield explosives for nearly three years, reflected on the accomplishments of the "quiet professionals" that comprise the CBRNE Team. Harkening back to his assumption of command in 2010, he reminded the crowd of his promise of a transformative era for CBRNE forces.

"You have continued to support operations in Afghanistan and are still in Iraq. You have increased our presence with our EOD support of Special Operations formations around the world. You have developed the framework for our domestic support to civil authorities in both the EOD and CBRN areas," Smith told his teammates.

Emphasizing the global nature of the fight against weapons of mass destruction, Smith praised the command's work in developing relationships outside the borders of the United States.

"You have increased our partnerships and presence with our teammates in Jordon, Israel, the United Arab Emirates and continued our strong and growing operations with the Republic of Korea and our partner command the ROK's Chemical Biological and Radiological Defense Command."

Smith will assume command of the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.

Lt. Gen. William B. Garrett III, U.S. Army Forces Command deputy commanding general and host of the ceremony, praised the work of Smith and the entire 20th Spt. Cmd. (CBRNE).

"This command has remained and will remain the 'tip of the spear,'" Garrett said. "Soldiers will continue to benefit from Les' leadership at the Military Support Center of Excellence."

Burton, whose previous assignment was as 2nd Infantry Division deputy commanding general for maneuver, thanked attendees and briefly discussed his priorities during his remarks.

"We will provide our Army and our nation with ready, reliable, and globally responsive forces and formations capable of leading and executing CBRNE --related operations and activities anytime-anywhere," Burton said. "We will continue to deliver well-trained, well-equipped and well-led forces that are recognized for their discipline, standards and accountability."

The 20th Spt. Cmd. (CBRNE) will adapt and transform as necessary to better meet the demands of the strategic environment, Burton said.

"And we will take care of our people and their families," Burton said.

With more than 5,000 military and civilian employees dispersed across 19 installations in 16 states and multiple countries, the 20th Support Command (CBRNE) gives the Army and the nation a scalable response capability with the flexibility to operate in a variety of environments, from urban areas to austere sites across the spectrum of military operations.

CBRNE Operations detect, identify, assess, render safe, dismantle, transfer, and dispose of unexploded ordnance, improvised devices and other CBRNE hazards.