ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. (Jan. 9, 2015) -- 20th CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosives) Command Soldiers conducted a joint training exercise with local and federal law enforcement Dec. 8-10, 2014 at a theme park in Denver, Colo.
The 749th Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Company worked with Denver law enforcement and the Federal Bureau of Investigation bomb squad to enhance their abilities, and to better interagency cooperation for future large scale training events.
The 749th EOD, located at Fort Carson, Colo., began joint training with other agencies after returning from a recent deployment to Afghanistan. According to Sgt. 1st Class David Bradford, noncommissioned officer in charge of the 749th, the objective is to conduct the training exercises on a monthly basis.
"We have several more training opportunities on our calendar for interagency cooperation, and we send out the invitation for our local partners as soon as possible," Bradford said. "Our local partners are always extremely grateful to work with us, as we can provide training opportunities that they would not otherwise be able to resource and conduct."
The training also allowed Soldiers the ability to review local and federal law enforcement response procedures used by the bomb technicians in the areas. Soldiers were divided into groups of both military and civilian personnel to promote an exchange of ideas and insight into each organizations' capabilities.
"We are provided a greater understanding of what may have occurred on the scene prior to their arrival," Bradford said. "This level of understanding will help the Soldiers of the responding team secure any special equipment that the responding local bomb squad may need and not have to assist with the incident."
The 749th welcomes any opportunity to train with their local police departments and federal agencies to help support their command's mission to counter weapons of mass destruction and combat the threat of CBRNE hazards across the globe.
"With the local partners new understanding of how we operate and what capabilities we can bring to an incident, they will be much more likely to request Army EOD support should the need arise," said Bradford, a native of Borger, Texas. "The working relationships we have worked to develop with our local partners will also be highly beneficial to future training events."
Brig. Gen. JB Burton, 20th CBRNE Commander, commended the 749th by saying that his command will continue to refine their specialized capabilities to provide the best trained CBRNE units and Soldiers in support of homeland defense and overseas contingencies.
"Our mission is critical to the security of our nation, and our unit has become a national asset that is important to the success of combating CBRNE threats," Burton said.
Related Links:
STAND-TO!: 20th CBRNE Command Decisive Action Training Integration
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