The U.S. Army's only command that combats chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive threats is participating Exercise Ulchi Freedom Guardian in South Korea, Aug. 18-29.

The Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland-based 20th CBRNE Command (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosives), is training with Republic of South Korea-U.S. alliance military forces during the annual Korean Peninsula-wide exercise.

Defensive in nature, the command post exercise is being conducted to keep Republic of South Korea-U.S. alliance forces ready to maintain security on the Korean Peninsula, and stability in Northeast Asia. The exercise is named after Ulchi Mundeok, a 7th century Korean military leader who repelled an invasion by China's Sui Dynasty. It is the second of two command post exercises held every year in South Korea.

This year, Ulchi Freedom Guardian involves 3,000 personnel from military bases in the U.S., and across the Pacific region. U.S. and South Korean forces are being joined by United Nations Command forces from Australia, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, France, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway and the United Kingdom.

American Soldiers and civilians from the 20th CBRNE Command counter Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD), eliminate CBRN and explosive ordnance threats and defeat improvised explosive devices.

With specialized units on 19 posts, in 16 states, 20th CBRNE Command trains with joint, interagency and allied partners around the globe.

According to 20th CBRNE Command Chief of Staff Col. Rich Schueneman, the deployment of nearly 100 20th CBRNE Soldiers to Ulchi Freedom Guardian demonstrates the command's operational flexibility.

"The 20th CBRNE Command is ready, reliable and globally responsive," said Schueneman, a Bristol, Indiana native, who previously served with the 1-72nd Armor Battalion in Korea. "This is one of our nation's oldest and strongest alliances, and we welcome the opportunity to train with our South Korean allies."