ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. (Dec. 11, 2014) -- Soldiers from the 20th CBRNE Command (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosives), were part of Time Magazine's selection for the 2014 Person of the Year.
Time Magazine selected "Ebola fighters" as its 2014 Person of the Year, and Soldiers from the 20th CBRNE Command's 1st Area Medical Laboratory, or AML, in West Africa are a part of the U.S. effort to contain the most deadly Ebola outbreak in history.
The 1st AML deployed from here to Liberia, in late October, for Operation United Assistance.
"The 1st AML brings unique capabilities to our nation's efforts in support of this mission, and is playing an important role in enabling the understanding of this disease as a part of a larger joint and inter-agency enterprise," said 20th CBRNE Commanding General Brig. Gen. JB Burton, a native of Tullahoma, Tennessee.
In support of combined and joint military operations, 1st AML deploys around the globe to protect U.S. military forces through surveillance and testing of environmental samples to determine threats and environmental health hazards.
A specialized and highly-trained team of Soldier scientists who serve as microbiologists, biochemists and laboratory specialists, 1st AML previously served in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Based in Maryland's science, technology and security corridor on Aberdeen Proving Ground, the 20th CBRNE is the U.S. Department of Defense's only formation that combats chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive threats around the world.
"From supporting the U.S. effort to contain the Ebola outbreak in Africa, to defeating improvised explosive devices in Afghanistan, to shielding the homeland from CBRNE hazards, 20th CBRNE Command serves on the front lines of freedom, wherever those lines are drawn," said Burton.
Burton praised Time Magazine for its selection of Ebola fighters.
"I couldn't agree more," said Burton. "The important work that they are doing is protecting the entire world from this deadly disease."
Related Links:
1st Area Medical Laboratory to deploy for Ebola mission
<b>U.S. Army news, information about Army's response to Ebola threat</b>
1st Area Medical Laboratory set to deploy to Liberia
STAND-TO!: 20th CBRNE Command Decisive Action Training Integration
STAND-TO!: Ebola epidemic response efforts
STAND-TO!: 20th CBRNE Command -- Globally Engaged, Regionally Aligned
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