20th Support Command

Definition/Scope: (ARMY.MIL) The 20th Support Command (CBRNE) is a major subordinate command of the U.S. Army Forces Command. Established in October 2004, the CBRNE command, as it is sometimes called, has transformed the Army’s chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive ordnance disposal response units, aligning them under a single operational headquarters. Core competencies include: command and control (C2) for specialized Army and Joint CBRNE forces; specialized CBRNE operations; provide specialized CBRNE units and teams; serve as JTF - Elimination headquarters; and provide reach back to subject matter experts, national laboratories, industry, academia and state and national entities. The Army assigned all FORSCOM explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) units to the 20th Support Command (CBRNE). All FORSCOM chemical units were assigned to the command in FY08. Equipment, personnel and critical resources were fast-tracked to support the command and reorganization and re-stationing efforts put the right people with the right equipment in the right place at the right time - to support the current fight and meet national combating WMD objectives. The 20th Support Command (CBRNE) is an operational headquarters for global WMD-Elimination operations. It now commands and controls Army and/or Joint forces for WMD-Elimination and offers specialized, deployable and highly technical CBRNE when and where they are needed. The command provides trained and ready active and reserve component CBRNE forces for contingency, small scale and major combat operations. (20th SUP COM) 20th Support Command is tasked to provide trained and ready forces in order to counter CBRNE (chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and high explosive) and WMD (weapons of mass destruction) threats in support of the Operational Force and National Combating WMD (CWMD) objectives. On order, the 20th SUPCOM (CBRNE) deploys, provides C2 for the Army and/or Joint specialized CBRNE forces, executes WMD-E operations, and other specialized CBRNE operations, and provides technical capabilities and CBRNE subject matter expertise to Joint and Army commanders to achieve national CWMD objectives.

Acronym:

20th SUP COM

Broader Terms:

Aberdeen Proving Ground
homeland defense
Homeland Response Force
US Northern Command, Combatant Command, AOR/Unified

Related Terms:

CBRN Consequence Management Response Force
CBRNE Consequence Management
Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosive
Explosive Ordnance Disposal
homeland security
National Defense Strategy
National Security Strategy
weapons of mass destruction