Team CBRNE leverages technology to advance, protect warfighters

By Cicely R. Levingston, Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical and Biological DefenseApril 23, 2013

Team CBRNE: Leveraging Technology to Advance the Warfighter
1 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Under Secretary of the Army Joseph W. Westphal, Ph.D., receives a brief on explosive destruction technologies from Team CBRN scientists during a visit to the Edgewood Area of Aberdeen Proving Ground, March 28, 2013. Westphal met with Team CBRNE's exp... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Team CBRNE: Leveraging Technology to Advance the Warfighter
2 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Under Secretary of the Army Joseph W. Westphal, Ph.D., receives a demonstration from Capt. Estan Davis, 46th Chemical Company, 22nd Chemical Battalion, of chemical threat characterization and field confirmation of samples during Westphal's visit to t... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Team CBRNE: Leveraging Technology to Advance the Warfighter
3 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Under Secretary of the Army Joseph W. Westphal is greeted by Maj. Gen. Leslie Smith, commander, 20th Support Command (CBRNE) and Carmen Spencer (far right), Joint Program Executive Officer for Chemical and Biological Defense, during a visit to the Ed... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Team CBRNE: Leveraging Technology to Advance the Warfighter
4 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers in the 20th Support Command (CBRNE) demonstrate the capabilities of a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives Response Team and a mobile Chemical Biological Laboratory during Under Secretary of the Army Joseph W. Westphal... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Team CBRNE: Leveraging Technology to Advance the Warfighter
5 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Under Secretary of the Army Joseph W. Westphal, Ph.D., observes the Prototype Detonation Test Demonstration Facility during a visit to the Edgewood Area of Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., March 28, 2013. Westphal met with Team CBRNE's experienced Soldi... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. (March 29, 2013) -- As the premier national resource for chemical and biological defense, Team CBRNE provides state-of-the-art science, technology, engineering, product development and delivery solutions to support the Warfighter.

CBRNE stands for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosives

Under Secretary of the Army Joseph W. Westphal, Ph.D., met with Team CBRNE's experienced Soldiers, scientists, engineers, and technicians to see firsthand how they develop and refine technologies to support service members, interagency partners, through coordination with private industry and academia.

"I want to first relate to all of the [Team CBRNE] employees how grateful we are for everything they do. What they do is critical for national security," Westphal said as he received updates on ongoing initiatives.

Aberdeen Proving Ground's Team CBRNE is comprised of the Edgewood Chemical Biological Center, or ECBC, the Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical and Biological Defense, the Defense Threat Reduction Agency - Joint Science and Technology Office, the 20th Support Command (CBRNE), the Chemical Materials Activity, Program Executive Office-Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternative, the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense, and the U.S. Army Public Health Command.

"Team CBRNE provides national countering weapons of mass destruction contributions through a highly skilled workforce with expertise in research and technology, systems development, test and evaluation, and field operations," noted Carmen Spencer, the Joint Program Executive Officer for Chemical and Biological Defense.

During the visit, Westphal received a capabilities demonstration from the 20th Support Command's CBRNE Response Team, or CRT, and Mobile Chemical Biological laboratory. These unique assets showcased how threat characterization and field confirmation of samples are conducted in an overseas contingency environment. Additionally, Team CBRNE provided Westphal with capability briefs as he conducted a walk through of the various static displays and engaged with Soldiers and employees.

"It's a testament to our Army, and all of you, that you are willing to deal with this [chemical] threat. Thank you for your service and thank your spouses and family members for their support," Westphal said as he addressed the CRT Soldiers.

After the demonstration, Westphal toured ECBC's research facilities, including a site that is being renovated to support Joint Rapid Prototyping as well as displays of current and past projects. Westphal reinforced the importance of Team CBRNE's role in national defense and the immeasurable contributions of Army scientists and engineers to protect Soldiers, and society in general, against chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive threats.

Westphal's visit with Team CBRNE builds on recent meetings with Soldiers and civilians at the National Ground Intelligence Center, the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, and the U.S. Army Nuclear and Combating Weapons of Mass Destruction Field Operating Agency. Each of these organizations provided Westphal with greater situational awareness to better advise the Secretary of the Army and prioritize Army resources.

Related Links:

U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense

Under SecArmy PAO on Twitter

Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md.

Combating Weapons of Mass Destruction: 'Making the world safer'

Under Secretary of the Army Joseph W. Westphal

Army.mil: Inside the Army News

20th Support Command (CBRNE)

Defense Threat Reduction Agency

The National Ground Intelligence Center

Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical and Biological Defense

Chemical Materials Activity, Program Executive Office-Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternative