Ready For Action: Enhancements Completed On U.S. Army's State-Of-The-Art Chemical Defense Training Facility (CDTF) At Fort Leonard Wood

PULASKI, Mo., April 9, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Fort Leonard Wood Army Base -- Dignitaries gathered to unveil the U.S. Army Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) School, Chemical Defense Training Facility (CDTF) at Fort Leonard Wood, MO.

Fully operational and the only facility of its kind within the U.S. Department of Defense, the CDTF will be the global venue of choice for live toxic CBRN defense training. Authorities estimate that nearly 5,000 Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, Coast Guard, and allied nation military personnel will be trained at the CDTF in the next year.

Following a six-month shutdown, the CDTF reopens a more robust facility with 11 realistic scenarios for basic, intermediate, and advanced CBRN training programs. The enhancements enable immersive training in diverse environments to challenge the senses and skills of future Joint Force leaders and units. Modifications transformed the gray masonry walls and institutional "feel" with high resolution 3D graphics and state-of-the-art lighting, sound, and furnishings to provide a modern, gaming-style atmosphere through which students are trained.

The initiative was managed by Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense (JPEO-CBRND). The JPEO-CBRND and CBRN School partnered with U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Chemical Biological Center (CCDC CBC) to create imagery for the updated CDTF. Innovative, high resolution 3D wall graphics were designed and rendered by CCDC CBC's Interactive Software and Visual Media branch of the Advanced Design and Manufacturing Business Unit. MRIGlobal designed and executed facility upgrades in concert with HHI Corporation fabrication and installation efforts.

Revised training materials and procedures have been developed by Maneuver Support Center of Excellence to leverage the expanded mission sets now available within the facility and meet the evolving needs of the Operational Force.

Supporting Quotes: 

"JPEO-CBRND's involvement in the CDTF is an investment in our warfighters and those of our international allies. This state-of-the-art facility and the capabilities it houses will ensure our soldiers, marines, sailors, and airmen have the critical skills and understanding they need to fight and win in a CBRN environment." –Douglas Bryce, Joint Program Executive Officer for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense

"Absolutely amazing transformation of this one-of-kind facility in the DOD—truly a first class enhancement effort that has without a doubt made the CDTF the global venue of choice for live, toxic dismounted chemical reconnaissance and counter-weapons of mass destruction mission training for our Joint uniformed service members and international partners." –Brigadier General Andy Munera, Commandant, U.S. Army Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear School, Fort Leonard Wood Missouri

"MRIGlobal is honored to continue our support of the U.S. Department of Defense in providing such an important training facility to defend against threat agents." –Thomas M. Sack, Ph.D., MRIGlobal President and Chief Executive Officer

"HHI Corporation was fortunate to be able to work with such a great team on this project. We are privileged to help create an amazing training facility for our armed forces." – Ryan Lamoreaux, HHI Corporation Senior Project Manager for CDTF 

About the JPEO-CBRND

The Joint Program Executive Office Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense (JPEO-CBRND) is the Joint Service's lead for the development, acquisition, fielding and life-cycle support of CBRN defense equipment and medical countermeasures. The JPEO-CBRND puts capable and supportable systems in the hands of Service members and first responders, when and where it is needed, and at an affordable price. For more information, visit www.jpeocbrnd.osd.mil.

About Fort Leonard Wood

Fort Leonard Wood is home to three U.S. Army schools: the U.S. Army Engineer; Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear; and Military Police schools and also provides Basic Combat Training for new Soldiers. Fort Leonard Wood is home for several deployable U.S. Army Forces Command units and is home to a large international student detachment — approximately 400 international students are trained each year. Over the past year, Fort Leonard Wood has trained international partners from more than 63 nations.

About HHI Corporation

HHI Corporation is a small business general contractor with 47 years of in-depth experience and has completed some of the most challenging projects for the Department of Defense (DOD). Using both its experience in construction and manufacturing, HHI has provided innovative solutions to complex problems for its military clients. Construction experience includes over 40 Design-Build chemical and biological test facilities (BSL laboratories), munitions maintenance facilities, military aircraft hangars, and other industrial/institutional facilities. Manufacturing experience includes aircraft maintenance stands, chemical and biological test chambers, paint and blast booths, containerized biological containment transport units, and ground support equipment for aircraft. For more information, visit hhicorp.com.

About MRIGlobal

Celebrating its 75^th year of business, MRIGlobal addresses some of the world's greatest threats and challenges. Founded in 1944 as an independent, non-profit organization, we perform contract research for government, industry, and academia. Our customized solutions in national security and defense and health include research and development capabilities in clinical research support, infectious disease and biological threat agent detection, global biological engagement, in vitro diagnostics, and laboratory management and operations. MRIGlobal is one of two partners in the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC, which manages and operates the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colo., for the U.S. Department of Energy. For more information, visit mriglobal.org.

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SOURCE MRIGlobal