JOINT BASE LEWIS MCCHORD, Wash. (May 27, 2015) -- A unit from 20th Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosives, or CBRNE, Command was named the best chemical company in the active Army for the second consecutive year.
The Joint Base Lewis McChord-based 9th Chemical Company earned the Maj. Gen. William L. Sibert Award for 2015.
Named after the 1st Infantry Division commander during World War I and commander of the Chemical Warfare School after the war, the prestigious award is given to the top chemical companies in the Army's active, Reserve and National Guard components.
The winners are selected by the Army CBRN School.
The Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment of the Decatur, Georgia-based 92nd Chemical Battalion earned the Sibert Award for the Army Reserve and the Mobile, Alabama-based 690th Chemical Company earned the award for the National Guard.
The 9th Chemical Company is assigned to the 110th Chemical Battalion (Technical Escort), 48th Chemical Brigade, 20th CBRNE Command. The company is commanded by Maj. Amy Wheeler and the company senior enlisted leader is 1st Sgt. Damion Giles.
With Soldiers and civilians stationed on 19 posts in 16 states, the Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland-headquartered 20th CBRNE Command is the Department of Defense's only multifunctional formation, which combats CBRNE hazards throughout the world.
Lt. Col. Brant Hoskins, commander of the 110th Chemical Battalion, said the award was earned by the company for its performance during the past year.
"The 9th Chemical Company from top to bottom continues to press for excellence in everything that they do from physical training to maintenance, EOD [explosive ordnance disposal] operations and exploitation operations," Hoskins said. "They have trained very hard over the past year honing their skills in a variety of company level and major training exercises."
"I believe the award is a recognition of the company's sense of team and pursuit of excellence over the past year," Hoskins said.
The commander of the 48th Chemical Brigade, Col. Sven C. Erichsen, also sang the praises of the company.
"This is the second year in a row that the 9th Company has won the prestigious award, which is proof positive that this award is earned by the Soldiers," said Erichsen, who is leading the remaining U.S. forces supporting Operation Unified Assistance, the U.S.-led effort to contain the Ebola outbreak in Liberia.
Brig. Gen. William E. King IV, commanding general of 20th CBRNE Command, congratulated the leaders and Soldiers of the 9th Chemical Company for earning top honors. "Very well done and a clear representation of what we want all our companies to strive to achieve," King said.
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