ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. (May 14, 2015) -- Soldiers from 20th CBRNE Command (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosives) have helped to halt the Ebola outbreak in Liberia.
The World Health Organization declared Liberia free of Ebola, May 9, after 42 days without any new cases.
Liberia was the country most impacted by the Ebola outbreak. In September 2014, the West African nation was reporting 300 to 400 new cases a week.
Two units from 20th CBRNE Command deployed to Liberia for Operation United Assistance, the U.S. effort to contain the worst Ebola outbreak in history
In October 2014, the 1st Area Medical Laboratory, or AML, deployed to support the U.S.-led joint task force. During their deployment, 1st AML Soldiers served with U.S. Naval Medicine Research Center personnel in Task Force Scientist, testing Ebola samples at six mobile laboratories and providing same day results to health care providers.
The 1st Area Medical Laboratory returned to Aberdeen Proving Ground in March 2015.
Earlier in March, the 48th CBRN Brigade Headquarters deployed to Liberia in to command the remaining American forces in Liberia. The Fort Hood-based CBRN brigade replaced the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) as the joint forces headquarters.
The brigade is supporting the U.S. Agency of International Development. Other response functions were and will be transitioned to civilian personnel.
The 1st AML and 48th CBRN Brigade are part of the 20th CBRNE Command, the U.S. Defense Department's only formation that combats CBRNE threats.
Headquartered on Aberdeen Proving Ground, 20th CBRNE Soldiers and civilians are stationed on 19 posts in 16 states. The command is home to more than 85 percent of the active U.S. Army's CBRNE capabilities, including two Explosive Ordnance Disposal groups, one CBRN brigade, Nuclear Disablement Teams, CBRNE Coordination Elements, expeditionary laboratories, remediation units and consequence management formations.
Brig. Gen. JB Burton, the commanding general of 20th CBRNE Command, said the 48th CBRN Brigade and 1st AML deployments epitomized the flexibility, determination and professionalism of his life-saving command.
"These deployments demonstrate that this command and this CBRNE enterprise must be capable of and comfortable with operating effectively across the full spectrum of CBRNE hazards," said Burton.
"This successful humanitarian mission in Liberia is another proud chapter in the history of this one-of-a-kind command," Burton said.
Related Links:
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Fort Hood-based brigade to aid Ebola response in West Africa
Medical laboratory returns home from Liberia
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