FORT IRWIN, Calif. -- Soldiers from 20th CBRNE Command (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosives) provided all hazards support to the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, during National Training Center Rotation 15-10 at Fort Irwin, CA from Sept. 4 to Oct. 11.

During the rotation, the 172d Chemical Company, directly supported 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team and performed decontamination operations for the brigade. Additionally, the Company's Nuclear Biological Chemical Reconnaissance Vehicles conducted several route reconnaissance patrols and all hazards security for brigade forces. Finally, the Company's Reconnaissance and Security Platoon conducted three exploitation operations of enemy chemical and biological weapons facilities.

Captain Benjamin Hormann, 172d Chemical Company Commander, stated, "All the hard training both before and during NTC really paid off. The Soldiers of the 172D Chemical Company proved their name as "Gladiators" fighting in the pits of the National Training Center with a superior performance in every task given. I would like to give my most sincere thanks for all the sacrifices the families and Soldiers made during this rotation."

Additionally, the 62d Explosive Ordinance Disposal Company, task organized EOD teams in direct support of 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team maneuver battalions. EOD teams integrated with route clearance patrols to clear brigade movement routes and respond to improvised explosive devices located by brigade forces.

The soldiers supported the CBRNE Task Force, which was capable of responding to and eliminating CBRNE hazards across the battlefield. Enemy forces often utilized CBRNE weapons to disrupt the brigade's freedom of movement and to target civilian populations.

The CBRNE Task Force was composed of 242d Ordnance Battalion Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 62 EOD Company, 172d Chemical Company, 2/9 CBRNE Response Team, Nuclear Disablement Team 3, and elements of 20th CBRNE Command's CBRNE Analytical and Remediation Activity.

The backbone of the CBRNE Task Force was the HHD, whose Soldiers operated the Tactical Operations Center providing mission command for the task force and coordinating the logistics support required by the task force.

About the CBRNE Task Force, Lieutenant Colonel Brian Winningham, 242d OD BN and CBRNE Task Force Commander, explained, "The Army Operating Concept expects us to Win in a Complex World, when we are faced with wicked problems that are unknown, unknowable and constantly changing. Task Force CBRNE conceptually solves the unknown CBRNE threat by using our skilled practitioners to detect, identify, render safe, and mitigate CBRNE hazards."

Following the NTC rotation, elements of the CBRNE Task Force, are validated and ready to support any contingency operations in support of the Army and Nation.