ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Maryland -- Top leaders from the Department of Defense's only formation that combats chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive threats around the world thanked Soldiers and civilians here Nov. 25.
Brig. Gen. JB Burton, commanding general of 20th CBRNE Command (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosives), and Command Sgt. Maj. Harold E. Dunn IV hosted a town hall meeting here at the Maryland National Guard Armory.
Headquartered in Maryland's science, technology and security corridor on Aberdeen Proving Ground, 20th CBRNE is home to 85 percent of the U.S. Army's CBRNE capabilities, with two EOD Groups, one CBRN Brigade and several special purpose capabilities, including deployable laboratories, Nuclear Disablement Teams and CBRNE Coordination Elements.
Stationed on 19 posts in 16 states, 20th CBRNE Soldiers and civilians operate with joint, interagency and allied partners around the world to counter Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD), eliminate CBRNE threats and defeat improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
Dunn called on 20th CBRNE personnel to think about all they had accomplished.
"Reflect on what you've done to support the mission," said Dunn, a seasoned Explosive Ordnance Disposal technician from Fredericksburg, Virginia. "Our command prevents the loss of life."
Dunn also talked about the 10-year history of the 20th CBRNE Command, which was activated in October 2004 by U.S. Army Forces Command.
Burton described 20th CBRNE's efforts to bolster alliances, enable military operations and protect the U.S. homeland.
"We live in a world that is increasingly complicated by CBRNE threats," said Burton. "20th CBRNE provides for our nation the only command of its kind to defeat chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive threats."
Burton said 20th CBRNE Soldiers and civilians have deployed to Africa, Asia, South America and Europe.
The commanding general also outlined the 20th CBRNE Command's Defense Support to Civil Authorities missions, from remediating chemical weapons sites to defeating explosive devices to supporting the U.S. Secret Service.
Emphasizing the command's expeditionary nature, Burton said 20th CBRNE is experimenting with a task organization that consolidates its EOD and CBRN units into CBRNE Task Forces that are regionally aligned with I Corps in the Asia Pacific region; III Corps in Europe, Africa and the Middle East; and the XVIII Airborne Corps on Global Response Force missions.
According to Burton, the command has also integrated its specialized units with combat forces during decisive action training rotations on Fort Irwin, California, and Fort Polk, Louisiana.
Burton expressed his gratitude for everything his command has done in the past 18 months.
"We have accomplished a tremendous amount," said Burton, a native of Tullahoma, Tennessee. "We have tremendous reach and tremendous impact across the globe."
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