Soldiers seize simulated WMD site during exercise

Courtesy Photo | Soldiers from the 110th Chemical Battalion (Technical Escort) trained with the 4-23rd Infantry and 502nd Military Intelligence Battalion at the Satsop Nuclear Power Plant, an unfinished nuclear power plant near Elma, Wash.  

ELMA, WA, UNITED STATES

11.19.2014

Story by Walter Ham  

20th CBRNE Command

ELMA, Wash. - U.S. Army units conducted an air assault on a simulated chemical weapons site Nov. 12.

During Exercise Gryphon Longsword, the 110th Chemical Battalion (Technical Escort) trained with the 4-23rd Infantry and 502nd Military Intelligence Battalion at the Satsop Nuclear Power Plant, an unfinished nuclear power plant near Elma, Washington.

After fighting through an underground maze where mock enemy ambushes and improvised explosive devices awaited them, the troops secured a VX laboratory.

The 110th Chemical Battalion is part of the 48th Chemical Brigade, 20th CBRNE Command (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosives), the U.S. Department of Defense's only multifunctional formation that combats CBRNE threats.

Based on 19 posts in 16 states, 20th CBRNE Command Soldiers and civilians counter Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD), eliminate CBRNE threats and defeat improvised explosive devices (IEDs) around the world.

"This was the most realistic training exercise I have been on," said 11th Chemical Company (Technical Escort) Commander Capt. Christopher L. Wong. "Our team followed the infantry element through the site, monitored for chemical agents and found the target lab, conducted the analysis on-site, and finally monitored the infantry elements for contamination."

"The immediacy of striking the target as the infantry secures it is another aspect of this mission that translates to creating a legitimate and vital capability for Technical Escort Units," said Wong.

According to Capt. Lucas J. Hoffmann from the 3-11th CBRNE Response Team, the Joint Base Lewis McChord-based troops started preparing for the exercise in October.

Hoffmann said his team trains to maintain tactical and technical proficiency year round and he added the exercise enabled his Soldiers to work with other units during a complex air assault mission on a realistic WMD site.

"This exercise demonstrated that the unit is capable of seamlessly integrating into mixed-unit operations and adapting to meet mission parameters," said Hoffmann.

• Date Taken: 11.19.2014
• Date Posted: 11.19.2014 16:00
• Story ID: 148287
• Location: ELMA, WA, US
• Hometown: ALBANY, OR, US