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New Jersey National Guardsmen from the 21st Civil Support Team and twenty Albanian Soldiers from the Land Forces CBRN Battalion came together for training in chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear detection gear and the Burlington County Emergency Services Training Center, Westhampton, New Jersey, Aug. 8-9.
The Albanian soldiers got a hands-on look at the actual detection gear they will be getting issued in the next year.
“This training has helped all the team members by giving a better picture how to face civil emergencies by using HAZMAT and CBRN concepts,” said Maj. Florenc Veliu, the CBRN commander. “We were familiarized with equipment, ways of communication with civil authorities and other actors that play a role during an emergency situation.”
The training was a challenge for members of the Civil Support Team, who had to overcome language barriers. Luckily there were translators with the group who helped to relay messages between the teachers and students.
“Teaching always for me is a positive experience,” said Air National Guard Master Sgt. Arnold Young, one of the team’s trainers. “It’s been one of my passions, and to be able to pass on that knowledge to individuals and see the joy they get from the training, is definitely a great feeling.”
The Burlington County Emergency Services Training Center’s sprawling complex of classrooms and training rooms provided realistic scenarios for the Albanian students.
Civil Support Team Soldiers and Airmen led teams of students through rooms, teaching them how the devices read the air for various contaminates.
“It’s definitely rewarding, and gives you a sense of pride,” said Army National Guardsman Staff Sgt. Christopher Maute. “To know that someone’s coming to you for your knowledge, to make their career better or make their service towards their country better…it’s one of those things I definitely take pride in.”
The Albanian soldiers were grateful for the classes, and hope to see more visits to New Jersey in the future.
“Due to challenges we are facing in today’s world, I believe that this training and other events, workshops, and familiarization visits will be a valuable contribution not only on the education side, but also on the practical side,” said Veliu.
“These training events are tools that help us to be developed, and also strengthen our relationship that our two militaries have.”
The training was part of the State Partnership Program, which New Jersey and Albania have been connected through since 2001. The National Guard State Partnership Program is a U.S. Department of Defense program managed by the National Guard that links U.S. States with partner countries around the world for the purpose of supporting the security cooperation objectives of the geographic Combatant Commanders.
| Date Taken: | 08.09.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 08.10.2016 15:56 |
| Story ID: | 206733 |
| Location: | WESTHAMPTON, NJ, US |
| Web Views: | 136 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, 21st Civil Support Team trains Albanian Soldiers on CBRN gear, by SMSgt Matthew Hecht, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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