Chemical troops prep for CBRN site survey, sampling mission in Kuwait

By Staff Sgt. Taresha D Hill, 8th Military Police BrigadeSeptember 30, 2014

Chemical troops prep for CBRN site survey, sampling mission in Kuwait
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers from 71st Chemical Company, 303rd Explosive Ordnance Disposal Battalion, 8th Military Police Brigade, 8th Theater Sustainment Command, conduct decontamination procedures while wearing protective posture gear during a September field training... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Chemical troops prep for CBRN site survey, sampling mission in Kuwait
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers from 71st Chemical Company, 303rd Explosive Ordnance Disposal Battalion, 8th Military Police Brigade, 8th Theater Sustainment Command, conduct decontamination procedures while wearing protective posture gear during a September field training... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Chemical troops prep for CBRN site survey, sampling mission in Kuwait
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers from 71st Chemical Company, 303rd Explosive Ordnance Disposal Battalion, 8th Military Police Brigade, 8th Theater Sustainment Command, document samples they have taken while wearing protective posture gear during a September field training e... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

MARINE CORPS TRAINING AREA, Bellows -- When it comes to handling chemical and biological compounds, there's zero room for error, making realistic training exercises -- like the one conducted here in September by 71st Chemical Company troops -- a critical part of deployment preparation.

After two full weeks of classroom and hands-on instruction, the 8th Military Police Brigade's Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear company put its knowledge and skills to the test during a weeklong culminating field training exercise.

The unit's upcoming mission in Kuwait will be the first time the entire company has deployed together, and while many of its Soldiers have no combat experience, the company commander, Capt. Craig Brown, said their performance during the FTX was exceptional and built the company's confidence.

In addition to the routine dismounted reconnaissance mission the unit is already well rehearsed in, the FTX certified the troops in two highly technical skills they'll be using downrange: site surveying and sampling procedures.

Robert Nevels, a subject matter expert in CBRN equipment with Joint Project Manager for Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Contamination Avoidance, coordinated those areas of the training.

Nevels instructed the Soldiers on the $1 million worth of equipment they will use during deployment, and Dr. Carrie A. Poore, a biologist, and Dr. Shawn Davies, a chemist, both with U.S. Army Edgewood Chemical Biological Center, certified them on site surveying and sampling techniques.

Poore said that when the troops encounter homemade laboratories, they must be able to recognize the production processes of the different chemical and biological compounds they'll find.

She added, "It's crucial to knowing how to safely and correctly take samples, which would later be used in a court of law."

Spc. Keenahn Oliphant, a 71st Chem troop, said having the scientists teach the class inspired him to continue his quest within the science field, and demonstrated how serious his field really is.

The company is scheduled to deploy in October.

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