ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. - Ten members of an Iraqi delegation visited APG Feb. 25 to view and obtain information on the capabilities and equipment of the Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical and Biological Defense (JPEO-CBD), the Army�'s 20th CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosives) Command, and the Army�'s Medical Research Institute for Chemical Defense.
The Edgewood Team CBRNE organizations partnered with the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) and U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) to provide senior Iraqi leaders an opportunity to learn of various aspects of CBRNE�'s countermeasure capabilities.
As the official combat support agency for the Department of Defense, DTRA addresses all CBRNE threats to counter weapons of mass destruction. The organization completes science research and development, lends operational support to Soldiers fighting on the frontlines, and cooperates with military services, the U.S. government and countries across the globe on counter-proliferation, non-proliferation and WMD reduction.
CENTCOM is one of nine unified commands in the American military that aims to promote regional security by combatting crises, deterring aggression and supporting development and reconstruction. CENTCOM�'s area of responsibility consists of countries Afghanistan, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Syria, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan and Yemen.
The in-depth tour provided tools and information helpful to delegation members as they work to improve Iraq�'s military operations.
�"It�'s a tour to show them our capabilities and what we have to offer, if they so choose to [act upon it]," said Lt. Col. James E. Brownlee Jr., public affairs officer for the 20th CBRNE Command. �"They�'re trying to see what we can do to help them better contain their threats there at home. It�'s so they can get the feeling that they can rely on us to either set something up for them to come over here and train or get this equipment to train or send people over."
Held at the Chemical Demilitarization Training Facility at APG South (Edgewood) under JPEO-CBD, the tour included equipment displays by the JPEO-CBD, U.S. Army Medical Research Institute for Chemical Defense, and the 20th CBRNE Command�'s Nuclear Disablement Team, CBRNE Response Team, CBRNE Coordination Element, Explosive Ordinance Disposal, CBRNE Analytical Remediation Activity and Area Medical Laboratory.
JPEO-CBD conducts research and development into creating chemical and biological defense equipment and medical countermeasures, including, but not limited to, fielding chemical and biological detection systems, decontamination systems, medical devices, drugs and vaccines, and force protection systems. The organization continues to provide leading chemical and biological defense technology, equipment and medical countermeasures.
Maj. Gen. Azeez Noor Swadi Al-Bukhturee, senior military representative of the visiting delegation, said the CBRNE tour will help Iraq rebuild its army.
�"I think this is a very beneficial thing," he said. �"This is very helpful to us. This is a chance to get to know and be introduced to CBRNE equipment."
Edgewood�'s Team CBRNE is comprised of organizations with interrelated missions that span the spectrum of basic and applied research, chemical recovery and elimination, medical surveillance, acquisition, emergency response, and consequence management. Team CBRNE has the life cycle responsibility for the safety and defense of our warfighters, civilians and nation against CBRNE threats.
While in the U.S., the Iraqi delegation also spent time visiting the Pentagon and FBI chemical, biological and forensic laboratories in Washington, D.C.
Upon returning to Iraq, delegation members and other officials will discuss the types of U.S. military training and equipment they would like to incorporate into their military.
�"They would like us to come and observe their exercises once they get some training," Col. Richard A. Schueneman, chief of staff of the 20th CBRNE Command, said of the Iraqi military. �"They want to get invites to training we provide. ... They�'re trying to see how we operate and see if they do take what we have, how will that help them solve their problems."
Schueneman added that Iraq is looking to upgrade its equipment and rebuild its military as the country is still working to recover from the Iran-Iraq War, which ended in 1988, and ongoing conflicts within the country.
As for what the Iraqi delegation�'s APG visit means for the future, Brig. Gen. JB Burton, commander of the 20th CBRNE Command, said it opens the doors for cooperative success.
�"From my perspective, it�'s enabling partners and security relationships across the globe," he said. �"By having a common framework in the event that we are asked to assist them, we increase our operability with those partners. ... There�'s a lot of technology associated with the CBRNE environment, and so being able to share with the Iraqis some of our equipment expose them to how we employ that equipment think will generate ideas inside their own framework.
�"They come from a long history of being expert in chemical warfare," Burton said. �"You look at their history they have a very proud history of that. And General Azeez is leading that country�'s efforts now as they attempt to reestablish their own local, regional and countrywide CBRNE response capabilities."
CBRNE officers agree that cooperation with Iraqi military officials will aid Iraqis in their situational understanding in combat and shape the type of responses and protective requirements needed to be successful on the battlefield.
�"Anytime that you can provide help and support to a nation that�'s asking for it and then give them that support, train them up on that support, what have you created?" Brownlee said. �"You�'ve just created a country that can fend for themselves."
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