United States Army Technical Escort Unit

"Escort With Pride!"

 

On order, conduct no-notice deployment to provide chemical and biological advice, verification, sampling, detection, mitigation, render safe, decontamination, packaging, escort and remediation of chemical and biological devices or hazards (weaponized or non-weaponized) worldwide in support of crisis or consequence management and chemical and biological defense equipment, technical intelligence and doctrine development.

The TEU provides worldwide support to the DoD, Secret Service, FBI, State Department, EPA, FEMA, DoE, Department of Health, the UN, and other intelligence communities for chemical and biological munitions and material expertise during peace and war. The TEU routinely handles shipments of toxic agents and serves as a Chemical and Biological Emergency Response Force for operational and contingency missions. The TEU also has supported the counterproliferation of CW/BW munitions since 1988, including the destruction of chemical weapons in Iraq. TEU teams are present at "National Special Security Events", such as the Olympics and Super Bowl games, national political conventions, international summits, etc.

 

Capabilities

 

National Response is provided by a 12-person National Response Team (NRT), commanded by a captain. The team consists of nine Chemical/Biological Specialists and three Explosive Ordnance Disposal Specialists. Alpha and Charlie Company personnel support this mission with two NRTs. These teams have a 1-hour recall and can deploy within 4 hours of notification.

 

Joint and CONUS Response is provided by a 12-person Chemical/Biological Response Team (CBRT), commanded by lieutenants or captains. The team consists of ten Chemical/Biological Specialists and two Explosive Ordnance Disposal Specialists. Alpha Company supports this mission with three response teams. These teams have a 4-hour recall and can deploy within 18 hours of notification.

 

Installation Emergency Response Teams (IERT), commanded by lieutenants, provide emergency hazardous material response to installation surety sites at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Dugway Proving Ground and Pine Bluff Arsenal. The teams are on 24-hour standby for installation response and have a 1-hour response time to incident site.

 

Chemical Accident/Incident Response and Assistance Teams (CARAT), commanded by lieutenants, contain up to 25 personnel and also support Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program exercises and events.

 

Remediation Teams, commanded by lieutenants, perform pre-planned hazardous material clean-up operations in support of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects. Bravo and Charlie Company personnel support this mission with two teams consisting of 20-30 personnel each. The number of personnel is tailored to the mission.

 

Escort Teams are the only DOD elements authorized to provide safe and lawful transport of chemical surety materiel worldwide. Operations are all pre-planned and armed security is provided. Both air and ground escorts are available. These teams vary in size, and are commanded by lieutenants or captains.

 

Training

 

Military personnel assigned to the TEU start as ordinary soldiers. Basic ‘reliability certification’ is gained by attending the Technical Escort Course number 2E-SI5J/494-ASIJ5 (commonly known as the ‘J5’ course) at the Ordnance Missile Munitions Center and School in Redstone Arsenal, AL. This course is 25 days long, and covers the basic personal protective equipment (SCBA, etc.), security measures, first aid for toxic agents, OSHA regs, etc.

 

 

PS: HAZMAT Handling and Disposal, 11-

PS: CBR, 11-

KS: chemical and biological munitions, 8-

 

CBRT/NRT Training

 

In addition to the basic TEU training, members of these teams receive further training:

 

 

PS: protection, 8-

KS: military, 11-

 

Explosive Ordnance Disposal Certification

 

TEU soldiers assigned to EOD duties must complete the ‘normal’ Army EOD course, plus they receive training in the unique EOD requirements of the TEU. Refresher training is required every five years. EOD personnel are issued thermoluminescent dosimeters. The combination of ‘normal’ + TEU training provides these skills:

 

Demolitions, 14-

Mechanics, 12-

 

Electronics, 8-

TF: EOD robot

SCI: chemistry, 8-

KS: explosives and munitions, 11-

PS: mine warfare, 8-

PS: CBR, 13-

 

KS: radiation safety, 11-

KS: the base they are assigned to, 11-

KS: chemical and biological munitions, 12-

 

EOD Staff Sergeants (E-6) and above must have

 

KS: the base they are assigned to, 13-

 

Advanced Access and Disablement

 

This course provides the EOD soldier receives instruction in basic electronics, circuit analysis, sensor technology, advanced radiography procedures and x-ray interpretation.

 

Demolitions, 16-

Electronics, 14-

PS: CBR, 15-

KS: radiation safety, 12-

 

Hazardous Operations and Emergency Response Certification

 

Remediation Team members have at least:

 

PS: HAZMAT Handling and Disposal, 12-

First Aid, 11-

 

Technical Escort Certification

 

Technical Escort team members have at least:

 

WF: small arms

OCV 4 with pistol and rifle

 

Transport of Hazardous Materiel (School of Military Packaging Technology)

 

Must be E6 and above. Completion of this course is required before packaging and/or offering hazardous materials for shipment or technical escort; it is also required for Technical Escort Officers (TEO).

 

PS: HAZMAT Handling and Disposal, 14-

 

PS: CBR, 12-

Heavy Equipment Training / SEE

 

This optional training gives the following skills:

 

TF: ground vehicles (including forklifts, cranes, excavators, etc.)

Mechanics, 8-

 

Confined Space Training

 

Training is scheduled as missions require to ensure personnel know how to identify and work in confined spaces and identify what hazards may exist. The training mostly eliminates persons with inappropriate psych and physical limitations.

 

Detection / Monitoring Equipment

 

Several members of each team will receive this training:

 

PS: CBR, 13-

Electronics, 8-

Computer Programming, 8-

 

Communications Equipment Training (SABRES, MX300, etc.)

Several members of each team will receive this training:

 

PS: RTO, 12-

Electronics, 8-

KS: cryptography, 8-

Computer Programming, 8-

 

 

Equipment Overview

 

Field Biological Warfare (BW) Agent Detection

Non-intrusive (without opening the container) Chemical Warfare (CW) Agent Detection

CW monitoring down to levels below TWA

Screening of unknowns with portable GC/MS

 

All matrix sampling, package, and transport of BW or CW materials

All levels of personal protective equipment (PPE) including OSHA Level A

Rebreather as well as conventional Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)

CW/BW environment Bomb Suit

State of the art CW/BW improvised explosive device (IED) blast mitigation/overpack

Inflatable Decon Tents (nylon for non-explosive, kevlar for explosive)

Foaming Decon capability (vehicular and backpack)

Refrigerated transfer cases for medical, soil, air and water samples

 

Various low and high penetration X-ray equipment, including real-time, filmless X-ray

Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) detection and survey

Secure worldwide & satellite comm systems (voice, fax, and data)

Extensive reference materials, and access to experts for all aspects of BW/CW

Radiation detection and survey instruments

UXO and IED render safe tools

 

Mobile Munitions Assessment System (MMAS) provides a platform (built on an RV chassis) for various high-tech tools used in classifying military ordnance for proper handling, storage, and destruction

 

History

 

At the beginning of World War II, the Chemical Warfare Service (CWS) began stockpiling chemical weapons and equipment around the country and overseas. Because of the hazardous nature of chemical weapons, to move them required personnel who were knowledgeable about the effects and dangers of the agents, and what to do in case of an accident. The Chief of the Chemical Warfare Service established a special unit to handle chemical weapons transfers. On 20 January 1943, the Guard and Security Division was created at Camp Sibert, AL. On 1 February 1944, the Guard and Security Division moved its operations to the Chemical Warfare Center (CWC), MD (formerly known as Edgewood Arsenal). On 31 January 1945, the unit was redesignated the 9710th Technical Service Unit, Guard and Security. The unit’s mission was soon expanded to include disposal of chemical weapons -- the first such mission being the disposal of captured German munitions.

 

On 11 March 1947, the unit's name was changed to the 9710th Technical Service Unit, Technical Escort Detachment. Starting in 1949, the Technical Escort Detachment began moving radioactive materials between Oak Ridge, TN, the site of the Manhattan Project during World War II, and various test and laboratory sites around the country. The number of radiological missions continued to increase throughout the next decade. Effective 1 January 1957, the detachment was redesignated the U.S. Army Chemical Corps Technical Escort Unit.

 

Starting in 1967, the unit supported an ocean disposal program called Operation CHASE (for "Cut Holes and Sink 'Em"). The CHASE program loaded unwanted Army materiel on old ships which were then scuttled at sea. Most of the sinkings involved conventional ammunition, but four involved chemical munitions. The first chemical sinking was designated CHASE 8 in 1967 and disposed of mustard agent in ton containers and M55 GB-filled rockets. In June 1968, CHASE 11 disposed of GB and VX in ton containers and rockets. CHASE 12 in August 1968 disposed of mustard agent in ton containers. The last was CHASE 10, delayed for various reasons, but finally completed in August 1970. It disposed of about 3,000 tons of nerve agent rockets encased in concrete vaults. Environmental concern over the sea dumping of chemical weapons led to a public law prohibiting further such missions.

 

In April 1969, the unit was redesignated the U.S. Army Technical Escort Center to recognize the unique mission of the unit as the Department of Defense experts on escort, decontamination, and disposal of chemical, biological, and radiological materials.

 

In 1970, President Richard M. Nixon ended the biological agent production program and stopped the production of unitary chemical munitions.

 

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, the unit assisted in the transport and disposal of massive quantities of chemical munitions on Johnston Atoll.

 

Effective 31 January 1977, the Technical Escort Center was redesignated the Technical Escort Unit again. The unit continued to have detachments at Rocky Mountain Arsenal and Dugway Proving Ground.

 

 

TEU Staff

 

 

 

Command Group - Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

• Commander: LTC George Lecakes
• Deputy to the Cdr: Mr. Donald Brooke
• CSM: CSM Billy Lewis

 

• Administrative Office (S-1) Ms. Eileen Miller
• Operations Office (S-3) MAJ C.H. Costas
• Logistics Office (S-4) Mr. Curtis Platt
• Budget Office Ms. Karen Foley
• Risk Management and Technology Mr. Sheldon Orr

Subordinate Organizations

 

HQ and HQ COMPANY (HHC)

• Bldg E4220 Commander: CPT Crockett
• Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD First Sergeant: 1SG DeFebbo

 

COMPANY A (ALPHA)

• Bldg E5427 Commander: MAJ Sparks
• Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD First Sergeant: 1SG SotoAcevedo

 

• 1 x NRT, 3 x CBRT, 2 x Escort Teams

 

COMPANY B (BRAVO)

• Bldg E4220 Commander: MAJ Gilliam
• Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD First Sergeant: SFC Iverson

 

• 1 x IERT, 1 x CARAT, 1 x Remediation Team

 

COMPANY C (CHARLIE)

• Bldg 3043 Commander: CPT Miltner
• Dugway Proving Ground, UT First Sergeant: 1SG McGill

 

• 1 x NRT, 1 x IERT, 1 x CARAT, 1 x Remediation Team

 

COMPANY D (DELTA)

• Bldg 1200 Commander: CPT Penland
• Fort Belvoir, VA First Sergeant: 1SG Reed

 

• 1 x CARAT, 2 x Escort Teams

 

COMPANY E (ECHO)

• Bldg 13-010 OIC: Mr. Hubanks
• Pine Bluff Arsenal, AR NCOIC: 1SG Fuller

 

• 1 x IERT, 1 x CARAT, 1 x Escort Team

 

 

 

Update Notes:

Most of the above information is current for the period 1999 to 2002. There are a lot of changes to the "Soldier and Biological Chemical Command" in the wake of the September 11th attacks that I haven't accomodated here yet. A company was added in the Washington, DC area in 2000; and TEU members were added to the Secret Service's "Hammer Teams" supporting the Presidential protective units. More notably, in October of 2003, the TEU became the core element of the Army's "Guardian Brigade", with other structural changes in the following years -- mostly adding personnel and equipment. In October of 2004, the TEU was transformed into the 22nd Chemical Battalion.