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WARSAW, Poland — Members of Poland’s Epidemiological Reaction Center, in collaboration with the 773rd Civil Support Team, 7th Civil Support Command, based in Kaiserslautern, and members of the Illinois National Guard responded to a simulated dangerous substance during a training exercise here Feb. 6 to 10.
It all began with a scenario where civil authorities received notification that something was released into a stadium during a soccer match. Although just a scenario, it is one the Polish Armed Forces are preparing for as they prepare to host the European Cup soccer match in June.
As U.S. Army Europe’s unique capability, the 773rd CST assist ERC forces in training and evaluating survey techniques, the use of lab equipment and, to a limited degree, command and control of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear forces as they conduct operations.
“The Illinois National Guard has established a 20-year relationship with the Polish Armed Forces as members of the Partnership for Peace initiative and it is an honor for the 773rd to be invited to participate as a valued member of the team,” said Lt. Col. Leslie Dillard, commander of the 773rd CST.
This exercise provided an opportunity for the 773rd CST to establish relationships with the Polish Armed Forces as they conduct survey and analytical operations while working side-by-side with Polish reconnaissance teams and to work with the Biosafety-Level-Three laboratory in Warsaw.
The BSL3 laboratory works with indigenous or exotic agents that may cause serious or potentially lethal disease after inhalation.
“It is important for us to work together and learn from each other. I would like to have the same type of partnership with the 773rd that we have with the Illinois (NG),” said Col. Artur Zdrojewski, ERC commander.
Over the three-day workshop and exercise, the 773rd provided information on its capabilities, while showcasing their equipment and conducting joint survey operations and analyzing samples collected with their counterpart from the ERC.
Briefings and hands-on training took place at Camp Radiowo, Poland, the home of the ERC. The exercise itself took place at the national stadium, which is still under construction.
“I was impressed with how knowledgeable the Polish were on analytical processes in identifying biological agents,” said Sgt. David Larkin, a chemical specialist with the 773rd CST.
