22nd Chemical Battalion holds change of command

Courtesy Photo | The 22nd Chemical Battalion (Technical Escort) held a change of command ceremony on Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., July 2. (U.S. Army photo by Lamont Harbison, Aberdeen Proving Ground)  

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, MD, UNITED STATES

07.02.2015

Story by Walter Ham  

20th CBRNE Command

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. - The 22nd Chemical Battalion (Technical Escort) conducted a change of command ceremony here July 2.

Lt. Col. Eric B. Towns relinquished command of the Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland-based "Guardians" to Lt. Col. Timothy E. Druell.

Part of the 48th Chemical Brigade, 20th CBRNE Command (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosives), the 22nd Chemical Battalion also has units stationed on Fort Drum, New York. The 22nd Chemical Battalion is one of only two technical escort battalions in the U.S. Army.

The Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland-headquartered 20th CBRNE Command is the U.S. Army's only formation that combats chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive threats around the globe.

Col. Sven Erichsen, the commander of the 48th Chemical Brigade, presided over the ceremony. Erichsen said the battalion traces its origins to Company C, 30th Engineers, which was later reorganized as the 1st Gas Regiment, during World War I.

"The Soldiers of C Company moved in close support of the American infantry divisions - preparing the assault with either a barrage of gas to open a hole in the German lines, or as frequently required, firing conventional high explosive munitions to pry the Germans out of their trenches," said Erichsen.

"These Soldiers, the forerunners of the 22nd Battalion Guardians, were pioneers in the use of new weapons and provided a unique capability to Pershing's Army," said Erichsen.

Erichsen said today's Guardians continue to uphold the 22nd Chemical Battalion's legacy of service and innovation.

"Uniquely organized to combat the threat of CBRNE weapons of mass destruction and faced with the fact that there are many potential enemies that may use these weapons, the Guardians aggressively prepare to face that threat wherever it may arise," said Erichsen.

During his time in command, Towns led the battalion through several training exercises and transformed it into a deployable CBRNE Battalion Task Force.

"The battalion transformed from an organization that was exceptional at training and deploying CBRNE Response Teams to an organization that can now deploy as a CBRNE Battalion Task Force made up CBRNE Company Teams, defend itself in a non-permissive environment and assess weapons of mass destruction sites that may or may not be fully cleared of enemy forces," said Towns, a native of Lake Charles, Louisiana.

Following his battalion command tour, Towns will be a student at the U.S. Army War College.

Druell takes command of the 22nd Chemical Battalion after serving as the Chemical and Biological Branch Chief at Joint Special Operations Command.

A graduate of The Citadel and native of Spartanburg, South Carolina, Druell has served as a platoon leader, company commander and staff officer in Special Operations and conventional U.S. Army units. He also served with the storied 75th Ranger Regiment on six operational deployments.

"It is an honor to stand among your ranks," said Druell.

• Date Taken: 07.02.2015
• Date Posted: 07.08.2015 18:10
• Story ID: 169445
• Location: ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, MD, US
• Hometown: LAKE CHARLES, LA, US
• Hometown: SPARTANBURG, SC, US