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Premier U.S. Department of Defense all hazards command marks 18th anniversary

By Walter T. Ham IVOctober 17, 2022

U.S. Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal NCOs lead from front for 80 years
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – An Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal technician from the 71st Ordnance Group (EOD) trains during Raven’s Challenge at Camp Gruber, Oklahoma. Raven's Challenge incorporates scenarios focused on interoperability between public safety bomb squads and military EOD units. U.S. Army photo by Andrew D. Monath. (Photo Credit: Andrew Monath) VIEW ORIGINAL
Army Chemical Company trains for technical escort mission with Air Force Reserve Wing
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers from the 9th Chemical Company (Technical Escort) and Airmen from the Air Force Reserve’s 446th Airlift Wing proved their mettle during Operation Iron Flight, an exercise designed to practice packaging and transporting Weapons of Mass Destruction material during combat operations. The Joint Base Lewis McChord, Washington-based 9th Chemical Company is assigned to the 110th Chemical Battalion (Technical Escort), 48th Chemical Brigade and 20th Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosives (CBRNE) Command. U.S. Army photo by 1st Sgt. Kenneth L. Greene Jr. (Photo Credit: Courtesy) VIEW ORIGINAL
Premier U.S. Department of Defense all hazards command marks 18th anniversary
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The 20th Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosives (CBRNE) Command celebrated its 18th anniversary early during a widely attended cake cutting ceremony, Oct. 14. The ceremony was hosted by Brig. Gen. Daryl O. Hood (left), the commanding general of 20th CBRNE Command, and Command Sgt. Maj. Jorge Arzabala (right), the senior enlisted leader. U.S. Army photo by Marshall R. Mason. (Photo Credit: Marshall Mason) VIEW ORIGINAL

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Maryland – The U.S. military’s premier all hazards formation marked its 18th anniversary, Oct. 16.

The 20th Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosives (CBRNE) Command celebrated its birthday early during a widely attended cake cutting ceremony, Oct. 14, that was hosted by Brig. Gen. Daryl O. Hood, the commanding general of 20th CBRNE Command, and Command Sgt. Maj. Jorge Arzabala, the senior enlisted leader.

Hood said the U.S. Army realized it needed a technical CBRNE exploitation capability in 2003 and that led to the creation of the one-of-a-kind command.

Retired Vice Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Richard Cody drafted the memo that led to the establishment of 20th CBRNE Command when he served as the deputy chief of staff of the Army for operations and plans. The command recognized Cody with its Defender of Liberty Award in 2019 for his role in creating this critical capability that enables military operations and safeguards U.S. troops and American citizens from CBRNE threats.

The multifunctional command was activated as part of U.S. Army Forces Command on Oct. 16, 2004, and originally called the 20th Support Command (CBRNE). It was renamed the 20th CBRNE Command in October 2013 to reflect its mission more accurately.

Headquartered on Aberdeen Proving Ground in northeast Maryland’s science, technology and security corridor, the 20th CBRNE Command is home to 75 percent of the Active-Duty Army’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN) units, as well as the 1st Area Medical Laboratory, CBRNE Analytical and Remediation Activity, five Weapons of Mass Destruction Coordination Teams and three Nuclear Disablement Teams.

Highly specialized units from the 20th CBRNE Command support military operations around the world and domestic authorities across the nation.

American Soldiers and U.S. Army civilians deploy from 19 bases in 16 states to take on the world’s most dangerous hazards in support of joint, interagency and allied operations.

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