31st Civil Support Team (WMD)

April 07, 2011

• HOME \ SOLDIERS & AIRMEN \ ARMY \ 31ST \ 

The 31st Civil Support Team, Weapons of Mass Distruction (WMD) maintains the capability to mitigate the consequences of any WMD/NBC event, whether natural or man-made. They are experts in WMD effects and NBC defense operations. The CST supports local and state authorities at domestic WMD/NBC incident sites by identifying agents and substances, assessing current and projected consequences, advising on response measures, and assisting with requests for additional military support.

The mission of the CST is to assess a suspected WMD attack, advise civilian responders on appropriate actions through on-site testing and expert consultation, and facilitate the arrival of additional state and federal military forces.

The CST is composed of 22 people, 7 Officer and 15 Enlisted, from both the Army and Air National Guard, with a variety of specialties. Assigned vehicles include a command vehicle, operations van, a communications vehicle called the Unified Command Suite (provides a broad range of communications capabilities including satellite communications), an Analytical Laboratory System van (contains a full suite of analysis equipment to support the medical team, and other general purpose vehicles). The CST normally deploys using its assigned vehicles, but can be airlifted if required. A deployment distance of up to 250 miles can usually be covered faster by surface travel, given the time required to recall an aircrew and stage an aircraft.

As the CST is on standby 24/7, the advanced echelon will deploy within 90 minutes of notification and the rest of the team within three hours. This quick response gives the CST the ability to support the incident commander with critical information rapidly. The CST Commander can advise the incident commander as to the type and level of hazard present, possible courses of action, and additional National Guard assets that are available.