Specialized teams to train for possible WMD attacks 'on the homeland'

[babylonsister]

Specialized teams to train for possible WMD attacks
By Jeff Schogol, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Sunday, September 30, 2007


ARLINGTON, Va. — The Defense Department will train and equip more than 15,000 troops to form special teams to respond to any terrorist attack on the homeland using weapons of mass destruction, the Pentagon’s top homeland security official said.

The exact number is classified, but about 70 percent of the troops are expected to come from the National Guard and the rest are expected to be active-duty troops and activated reservists, said Paul McHale, assistant defense secretary for homeland defense.

“The units would be trained to specific CBRN missions. They would be rapidly deployable and they would be available to assist civilian authorities in responding to a terrorist attack,” McHale said.

The teams are expected to become fully operational over the next two to three years and fall under the purview of U.S. Northern Command, McHale said.

“The forces, as individual units, are trained and equipped today,” McHale said. “Additional training will be required and undoubtedly some new equipment will be necessary. So I want to make clear, we have this capability today, but with additional training and equipment and better organization than we currently have, our ability to respond will be much improved.”


more...

http://stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=49151