Premier CBRNE command celebrates 22 years of readiness

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 operations and international allies to counter evolving global CBRNE threats.

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 Global Field Medical Laboratory, CBRNE Analytical and Remediation Activity, Weapons of Mass Destruction Coordination Teams and Nuclear Infrastructure Exploitation Teams.

“The Soldiers and civilians of this organization and its major subordinate commands are some of the most innovative, creative and bravest warriors in a long line of experts,” said Command Sgt. Major Dennis R. Kirk, the command’s senior enlisted leader.

“While the entire country sleeps, they work tirelessly to confront and defeat the world’s most dangerous CBRNE hazards,” Kirk said. “They run towards hazards that most people run away from.”

Over its 22-year history, the command routinely demonstrates its CBRNE defense readiness, integrating into decisive action training rotations at major combat training centers and supporting critical overseas missions, including rotational deployments in support of U.S. Pacific Command, U.S. Central Command, and U.S. Africa Command.

The command marked the occasion with anniversary events at its headquarters compound, celebrating its legacy of defending liberty while continuing to adapt to evolving multi-domain threats.

“Twenty-two years ago, this command was established and it has endured because the threats will continue to evolve, technology will change and our adversaries will adapt,” said Brig. Gen. W Bochat, commanding general of the 20th CBRNE Command and a career chemical officer.

“We must continue our persistent stare and leverage emerging technologies to strengthen our overall readiness - Liberty we defend!”