U.S. Army soldiers’ readiness to react to chemical warfare was put to the test as part of the ongoing Exercise Saber Junction 25.
The U.S. Army Europe and Africa-led exercise being staged in Germany involves upwards of 7,500 participants and 15 countries. It is designed to assess readiness to execute unified land operations and promote interoperability with participating NATO allies and partners.
The simulated gas attack took place on September 8 in the Hohenfels Training Area in Bavaria in southern Germany and involved the U.S Army’s 1st Cavalry Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment. The training aims to provide realistic scenarios for units on large-scale combat operations.
In the early hours of the morning yellow and white smoke fell on top of the squadron’s headquarters in a simulated chemical attack, testing the unit’s ability to operate in a chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear environment.
As per a U.S. Army press statement: “The unit was being targeted by indirect fire and chemical rounds to simulate a coordinated enemy attack on a headquarters position.”
Soldiers had to quickly don their gas masks to counter white-smoke tear gas grenades and yellow smoke representing chemical rounds.
Chemical attacks in combat can include both military-grade chemical weapons and toxic industrial chemicals including nerve agents, blistering agents and choking agents. As part of their CBRN training soldiers are taught they must use protective masks and clothing and potentially seek protection inside vehicles.
- You can read more details on the U.S. Department of War website
