DEAL BEACH, N.J. (June 16, 2015) -- U.S. Army civilians from 20th CBRNE Command (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosives) conducted an unexploded ordnance clearance mission here June 8 - 16.
Civilians from 20th CBRNE Command's CBRNE Analytical and Remediation Activity, or CARA, were called in after old explosive components were dredged onto the beach during a hurricane restoration project.
The CARA Unexploded Ordnance, or UXO, team from Remediation Response Team-East took on the mission in support of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
U.S. Air Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal, or EOD, technicians were on call to dispose of any live rounds discovered during the operation.
Based on Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, and made up entirely of Army civilians, CARA analyzes and remediates chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive threats around the globe.
CARA Director Christopher K. Chesney said his activity conducts long-term remediation operations and emergency response missions to combat CBRNE threats.
CARA operates mobile theater laboratories, provides CBRNE training support, conducts remediation operations and provides technical escort aviation support of surety material.
"We are called frequently because of our expertise and reputation," said Chesney, a retired Army officer from Chicago.
Chesney said his Army civilians bring a wealth of experience to any mission they take on.
"This mission shows our flexibility to do a multitude of missions within the EOD and CBRNE spectrum," said Chesney.
CARA Senior UXO Supervisor Scott Marks said the four-person UXO team cleared 26 acres of beach during the 8-day mission. Marks coordinated the remediation mission with the CARA operations team.
A former Army EOD tech from Roanoke, Va., Marks said the team finished clearing the closed beach before the weekend.
"We were able to get the beach open for beachgoers," said Marks.
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