Chemical Battalion hosts conference

Sept. 29 event on JBLM open to all CBRN Soldiers, Airmen

By Tyler Hemstreet on September 23, 2011

Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Soldiers and Airmen will unite at Joint Base Lewis-McChord Sept. 29 for the 2011 Pacific Northwest CBRN Conference.

The conference runs from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Carey Theater.

CBRN Soldiers embedded in Special Forces, Ranger battalions, medical brigades, field artillery units, engineer brigades, infantry battalions are invited to attend the event.

The event is open to all Chemical Soldiers and Airmen on JBLM and McChord Field, as well as Guardsmen and Army Reservists. Lt. Col. Sean Kirschner and Command Sgt. Major Denise Jackson plan to bring together Chemical Soldiers and leaders in the Pacific Northwest to learn about CBRN assets and the future force structure of the CBRN Corps.

The conference will feature professional development briefings and capability displays of CBRN assets at CBRN Battalions on JBLM and throughout the Pacific Northwest.

"We welcome all command teams from JBLM to join us and learn how our (CBRN) assets can help compliment their fighting forces and become a stronger fighting unit in war," said 1st Lt. Peter Ahching, one of the event coordinators.  

The 23rd CBRN Battalion is partnering up with the 110th Chemical Battalion (Active Duty unit), the 3d BN 104 Regiment (Army Reserve unit), the 476th Chemical Battalion (Army Reserve unit), and the 420th Chemical Battalion (National Guard unit) to set up the CBRN events for Chemical Soldiers in the Pacific Northwest.

The theme of the conference is "Celebrating Our CBRN Profession of Arms," and the keynote speaker for the event is the CBRN School Commandant, Col. Vance Visser. Admission to the conference is free. HRC Chemical Branch representatives for both enlisted and officers will brief Soldiers and conduct interviews.

On Sept. 30, the command will host the Pacific Northwest Green Dragon Ball from 5 p.m. to midnight at the Landmark Convention Center's Temple Theater Ballroom, 47 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma. Keynote speaker is the 20th Support Command Commanding General, Brig. Gen. Leslie Smith. Dress is formal military attire and formal attire for civilians. Social hour begins at 5 p.m.

For more information, call 1st Lt. Peter Ahching or Master Sgt. Demetric Herron at 966-1960 or email peter.ahchingjr@conus.army.mil or demetric.herron@conus.army.mil.