FORT BRAGG, N.C. - Soldiers with the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear Reconnaissance Platoon, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division recently received additional hazardous material detection and containment equipment.

The gear is known as TICPDE or toxic industrial chemical protection and detection equipment.
"With getting the toxic industrial chemical protection and detection equipment, we are significantly increasing our capability in the area of hazardous materials," said Col. Jon Drushal, XVIII Airborne Corps CBRNE officer.

CBRN Plt. will soon train with the TICPDE to enhance the unit's abilities.

Staff Sgt. Matthew Bell is the XVIII Abn. Corps CBRN logistics noncommissioned officer in charge. He describes the TICPDE equipment as, "a suite of commercial, off-the-shelf equipment that provides advanced technologies in personal protective equipment, contamination, identification and avoidance resources and tools."

"TICPDE is designed to assess the current or potential hazard to troops and civilians in the vicinity of a suspected toxic industrial chemical spill," Bell explained.

TICPDE could be useful to Soldiers in a combat zone. In Afghanistan, for example, the means to control the chemical levels used in chlorination plants to process potable water may not exist. Soldiers deployed there would need to be prepared for a possible chemical spill in order to protect Afghani civilians and coalition forces.

Bell said that TICPDE will protect those in combat zones.