CAMP RED CLOUD, South Korea –
Leaders from the 71st Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group integrated with the 2nd Infantry Division in South Korea Nov. 1 - 6.
Part of the 20th CBRNE Command (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosives), the Fort Carson, Colorado-based 71st EOD Group conducted mission command training with the 2nd Infantry Division as part of its alignment with forces in the Asia Pacific region.
Headquartered on Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, 20th CBRNE is aligning its three brigade-sized formations with I Corps, III Corps and XVIII Airborne Corps.
In addition to the 71st EOD Group's alignment with I Corps in Asia, the Fort Hood, Texas-based 48th Chemical Brigade will deploy with III Corps to Europe, Africa and Middle East; and the Fort Campbell, Kentucky-based 52nd EOD Group will join the XVIII Airborne Corps on Global Response Force missions.
Stationed on 19 posts in 16 states, Soldiers and civilians from the 20th CBRNE counter Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD), eliminate CBRNE threats and defeat improvised explosive devices around the world. The 20th CBRNE Command deploys for Korea Peninsula-wide exercises.
EOD Group Commander Col. Heidi Hoyle, Command Sgt. Maj. Derryl Valk and Maj. Peter Lin spent the week in Korea training with the U.S. Army's only permanently forward deployed combat division. The 2nd Infantry Division serves near the Korean Demilitarized Zone, the world's most heavily armed border.
According to Hoyle, the training is an important part of the 71st EOD Group's efforts in the Asia Pacific region.
"The three-day (mission command training) will build a solid base for future planning," said Hoyle.