Premier CBRNE command celebrates 22 years of readiness

Premier CBRNE command celebrates 22 years of readiness ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. — Soldiers and civilians with the U.S. military’s premier all-hazard…

Premier CBRNE command celebrates 22 years of readinessABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. — Soldiers and civilians with the U.S. military’s premier all-hazard… ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. — Soldiers and civilians with the U.S. military’s premier all-hazards formation celebrated more than two decades of safeguarding the nation against chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive threats. The 20th CBRNE Command, headquartered at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, officially reached the 22nd anniversary milestone on Oct. 16. Activated in 2004 under U.S. Army Forces Command, which has since been renamed U.S. Army Western Hemisphere Command, the Army consolidated the military's specialized assets under a single operational headquarters to streamline global responses to weapons of mass destruction and explosive hazards.

Retired Vice Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Richard Cody drafted the memo that charted the course for the establishment of 20th CBRNE Command when he served as the deputy chief of staff of the Army for operations and plans. Originally established as the 20th Support Command (CBRNE) following the post-9/11 restructuring of Army technical capabilities, the unit was redesignated as the 20th CBRNE Command in 2013 to more accurately reflect its specialized mission. Today, the formation includes approximately 3,500 soldiers and 220 civilians stationed across 17 states and 20 different installations. The command routinely operates in support of domestic civil authorities, joint forces, special