WASHINGTON, D.C. (Nov. 14, 2014) -- Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel presented members of the U.S. Army Edgewood Chemical Biological Center the Office of the Secretary of Defense Group Achievement Award Nov. 12, for their service during the international effort to safely eliminate Syria's chemical weapons stockpile.
The ECBC civilians were recognized as part of the Syrian Chemical Weapons Elimination Team from Feb. 1, 2013 through Aug. 31, 2014, including the 39 personnel who manned the Field Deployable Hydrolysis System, known as FDHS, that destroyed 19.8 tons of sulfur mustard and 581 tons of sarin precursor in just 42 days while at sea aboard the Motor Vessel Cape Ray. The elimination team was also awarded the Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation during the Pentagon ceremony.
"To the DoD personnel that we are honoring today: Thank you. Your accomplishment is a model for the entire Department of Defense," Hagel said during the ceremony.
More than 1,300 tons of chemical weapons material was removed from Syria thanks to an international coalition of partners, including the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and the United Nations. ECBC was part of a multi-agency team called upon by the Department of Defense to identify and fill critical U.S. capability gaps in WMD elimination and define requirements in order to design, manufacture and rapidly field the transportable technical solution that the FDHS offered.
According to OSD, the agency collaboration saved billions of dollars when compared to chemical weapons destruction efforts that often take years to execute.
"This is an example of how Army science and technology, combined with a world-class workforce and the great teamwork of all you players out there, can deliver unique capabilities to our nation," said Maj. Gen. John F. Wharton, commanding general of the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command. "It's another great example of the rapid acquisition process meeting the operational needs of our nation."
ECBC's operational expertise ensured that an appropriate environment was recreated on the MV Cape Ray. Safety protocols were implemented. The FHDS was technologically sound, the neutralization process was chemically proven, and communications among leaders was paramount. Each of these pieces was necessary for mission success.
As a result, the Syrian people, their neighbors and the global community no longer face the threat that a Syrian chemical weapons program once posed.
"I could not be more proud of the ECBC volunteers who successfully completed this first-of-its-kind destruction mission. Destroying Syria's declared stockpile of chemical weapons on behalf of the international community has not only made the world a safer place, but has shown that the United States can lead unprecedented efforts to eliminate threats as they emerge," said Tim Blades, deputy director of ECBC's Program Integration and on-board Director of Operations on the Cape Ray.
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The Edgewood Chemical Biological Center is part of the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command, which has the mission to develop technology and engineering solutions for America's Soldiers.
RDECOM is a major subordinate command of the U.S. Army Materiel Command. AMC is the Army's premier provider of materiel readiness--technology, acquisition support, materiel development, logistics power projection and sustainment--to the total force, across the spectrum of joint military operations. If a Soldier shoots it, drives it, flies it, wears it, eats it or communicates with it, AMC provides it.
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