The six-month-old Guardian Brigade is the Army’s first step in creating
an organization that will provide soldier and civilian response to chemical
and biological accidents and incidents in the United States or overseas.
Guardian Brigade personnel are trained and equipped to handle a variety of
missions, from chem-bio response to explosive ordnance recovery. Typically,
teams are deployed once first-responder capabilities have either been overwhelmed,
or need to be supplemented.
“It’s a one-stop shop for all the hazards we may have to face,”
said Col. Timothy Madere, commander of the Guardian Brigade.
The concept for the Guardian Brigade grew out of the Defense Against Weapons
of Mass Destruction Act of 1996, said Madere.
The act provided for military assistance to civilian law enforcement officials
in emergency situations involving biological or chemical weapons.
Guardian Brigade is stationed temporarily at the Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md.
It reports directly to the Army’s Research, Development and Engineering
Command. Eventually, the organization will answer to Forces Command, at Fort
McPherson, Ga., and it will undergo a name change to the Chemical Biological
Radiological Nuclear High Yield Explosive (CBRNE) command, he said.
No date has been set for the change.
“Folks in the Guardian Brigade will transfer over to CBRNE,” said
Madere. “There are a couple hundred people at headquarters now. It will
change, based on new requirements. It’s a moving target.”
Madere said one challenge facing the command is recruiting. Some of those already
in the ranks of the Guardian Brigade came out of the Army Technical Escort Unit.
Madere was the TEU commander before moving into his current post.
A General Officer Steering Committee will provide oversight during the concept,
definition and planning process, said Madere. Gen. Peter J. Schoomaker, Army
chief of staff, will have the final say on the plan.
In addition to the TEU, the Guardian Brigade will absorb the 52nd Ordnance
Group, located at Fort Gillem, Ga.