76TH OPERATIONAL RESPONSE COMMAND

Army Reserve units assigned to the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Response Enterprise (CRE) mission conducted validation training at Guardian Response 2025, which took place from April 25 - May 14, 2025. Guardian Response is a large-scale training exercise held yearly at the Muscatatuck Urban Training Center in Butlerville, IN, aimed at preparing U.S. Soldiers to respond to Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) threats and hazards within the United States. The exercise evaluates Soldier's Defense Support of Civilian Authorities (DSCA) response capabilities to ensure Soldier readiness as America's first line of defense. The CRE units participating in Guardian Response 2025 included: 349th Chemical Company, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington; 456th Medical Company Area Support, Somersworth, New Hampshire; and the 668th Engineer Vertical Construction Company, Orangeburg, New York. These units will stay on the CRE mission until 2027.

Highlight video featuring Soldiers from subordinate units under the 76th ORC participating in Desert Tempest on April 25, 2025, at Dugway Proving Ground, Utah. Desert Tempest is a training event led by the West Desert Test Center (WDTC) in coordination with the Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense (JPEO-CBRND) from April 21-May 2, 2025, on Dugway Proving Ground, Utah. The 76th Operational Response Command (ORC) supports WDTC and JPEO-CBRND test exercises to shape the future Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) warfighter environment through research and development, provide CBRN Soldier feedback to program test managers, and build strong, mutually beneficial relationships with the WDTC and JPEO-CBRND.

Soldiers from 76th ORC brigades participated in Red Dragon 24 to improve their readiness, combat skills, and overall effectiveness in Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) operations at Dugway Proving Ground, Utah, June 12-26, 2024. This premiere training experience was supported by 17 different organizations and was a success overall. Our CBRN Warriors train to detect threats, decontaminate personnel, equipment, and military vehicles. Soldiers use Joint Service Lightweight Integrated Suit Technology (JSLIST), M50 protective masks, decontamination sets and chemical detectors, to conduct missions to collect soil and air samples to identify harmful agents.

Soldiers from the 300th Chemical Company, 355th Medical Company (Area Support) (MCAS), and local authorities participated in a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) exercise scenario to test their readiness, combat skills, and overall effectiveness in reconnaissance, decontamination and triage patients during an imminent biological attack at Morgantown, W. Va, Aug 8-9, 2024. Five organizations, including UASRNORTH, WVU Medicine, the fire department, the police department, and MECCA-911, supported the CBRN exercise. CBRN Soldiers were crucial in detecting, identifying, and responding to biological threats. They deployed detection equipment to monitor for airborne pathogens, collect and analyze samples, and assess the extent of contamination. In addition, 355th MCAS Soldiers provided medical support during the CBRN exercise scenario. MCAS Soldiers' collaboration involved setting decontamination stations, treating casualties exposed to hazardous materials, and ensuring the health and safety of personnel engaged in CBRN missions. (U.S. Army Reserve video by Sgt. Giovanny Lopez)