A group of more than 200 U.S. sailors, airmen and soldiers worked with the Operational Test Command at West Fort Hood in Texas to test the service members’ ability to respond to simultaneous mock chemical attacks.The U.S. Army said Tuesday military personnel used the Next Generation Chemical Detector system during the joint exercise that occurred from Oct. 24 to Nov. 17.
Participants in the exercise included members from the 181st Hazard Response Company, 2nd Chemical Battalion, 48th Chemical Brigade, Expeditionary Strike Group 2, USS Bataan, Malmstrom Air Force Base, Minot Air Force Base and Barksdale Air Force Base.
“We’re collecting specific data necessary to inform the program manager and the services with information on the effectiveness, suitability, and survivability of the NGCD systems,” said Eric Graham, OTCÂ operational research analyst.
“Our data collection efforts will ultimately assist in the manufacturing, development and production of critical chemical detection equipment for the Department of Defense.”
Christine Miller, a member of the OTC’s Maneuver Support and Sustainment Test Directorate, said the systems from three NGCD increments were used at the operational assessment and helped soldiers prepare for upcoming training exercises.
