WHEELER ARMY AIRFIELD, Hawaii - Soldiers from the 71st Chemical Company, 303rd Explosive Ordnance Disposal Battalion, 8th Military Police Brigade, 8th Theater Sustainment Command, were greeted by families and friends during a redeployment ceremony held July 8, here.
The Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) company deployed for the first time in its history last October to Kuwait, where they provided Central Command (CENTCOM) with expert CBRN training and support.
Despite four previous deployments, Sgt. 1st Class Kelly Ellerbe, a platoon sergeant, said that this deployment was different for him because it was his first time deploying as a CBRN company.
"I couldn't have asked for a better group of Soldiers to deploy with," said Ellerbe.
In preparation for the deployment, the company spent several months conducting various field training exercises and even certified its troops in two technical skills: site surveying and sampling procedures.
"They were prepared," said Capt. Craig Brown, company commander. "We did copious amounts of training prior to leaving."
During the nine-month deployment, the CBRN Soldiers put their skills and knowledge to the test as they conducted CBRN dismounted reconnaissance training and mass casualty operational support exercises with the Kuwait National Guard.
Additionally, 71st also supported Kazakhstan military forces with CBRN subject matter expert and information exchanges during their joint training exercises.
Brown commended his Soldiers and said that despite the extreme heat and long hours, his troops executed every mission that was asked of them.
Brown said, "It was a successful deployment all around."
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