20th CBRNE Command Defenders win championship during APG Turkey Bowl

Soldiers from the U.S. military’s premier Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosives command proved their grit on the gridiron by winning the championship during the Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, Turkey Bowl, Nov. 25.

The 20th CBRNE Command “Defenders” outlasted the defending champions from the Program Executive Office Command, Control and Communications – Network during the flag football championship game and came away with a 12 – 7 win.

The 20th CBRNE Command Defenders defeated four teams to take top honors on the nation’s oldest operation proving ground.

1st Sgt. Christopher D. Holmstadt, the senior enlisted leader for the 20th CBRNE Command Headquarters and Headquarters Company, said Spc. Keon Forbes saved the game for the Defenders with an end zone interception that led to their winning score.

“The team comradery was excellent,” said Holmstadt, a Master Explosive Ordnance Disposal technician from Lake City, Michigan, who has served in the U.S. Army for 18 years.

Holmstadt also credited 20th CBRNE Command Coach Sgt. Traci A. Bennett for shepherding the team to victory in the APG competition.

In the annual intra-command 20th CBRNE Command Turkey Bowl, the noncommissioned officer team went from being down 8 – 6 at halftime to quadrupling the officers score 32 – 8 and winning their second consecutive championship title, Nov. 27.

The 20th CBRNE Command Communication Directorate (G6) took home the trophy during the intra-command field goal kicking contest.

From 19 bases in 16 states, Soldiers and Army civilians from 20th CBRNE Command deploy in support of joint, interagency and allied operations around the world.

Maj. Steven M. Modugno, the public affairs director for the 20th CBRNE Command, said the 20th CBRNE Command Soldiers came together for the annual Turkey Bowl in the spirit of friendly competition.

“The 20th CBRNE Command Defenders are always a smart, tough and tenacious team, both on and off the gridiron,” said Modugno, a native of Santa Clarita, California. “From confronting and defeating the world’s most dangerous hazards to winning championships on the gridiron, our team always brings a winning attitude to the fight. Happy Thanksgiving.”